Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst on Saturday pledged his full support for embattled football coach Bo Pelini, a day after the Cornhuskers' 38-17 loss and yet another lowlight of Pelini losing his temper. Twice.
Perhaps, the school had as many as 11.7 million reasons
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that the school would have owed the Cornhuskers staff $11.7 million - minus the salaries of any jobs that any coaches subsequently found. The school would have owed Pelini $7.65 million.
The school put out a release Saturday, addressing Pelini's status with the program.
"My approach has always been to not comment publicly about our coaches until their full seasons are complete, as I strongly believe it is unfair and counter to best practices," said Eichorst in a release. "However, given the volume of unfounded speculation and conjecture about our head football coach, I want to reaffirm what I have said many times since I have arrived at the University of Nebraska - that I positively respect, appreciate and support our football student-athletes, coaches and staff, as we do everyone in the Husker family. We very much look forward to our upcoming bowl game and Coach Pelini continuing to lead our program in the future."
Pelini, who was livid during and after the loss to Iowa on Friday, expressed his appreciation for Eichorst's support and apologized for his own behavior.
"I apologize for reacting emotionally yesterday and for showing frustration both with the game officials and the media," Pelini said in his statement. "I fully understand and respect their difficult jobs, and I regret any and all actions or words which may have shed a negative light on our program and university. Accountability is a core belief throughout our program, and as the head coach, I must set and maintain a high standard."
In fact, Pelini will receive a $150,000 bonus for guiding the Cornhuskers into a bowl game this season, despite the fact that the team finished just 8-4 an unranked.
Pelini is out of the woods for this season, but Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman wasn't as supportive as Eichorst. The Journal Star reported that Perlman had no comment when asked about Pelini. When asked if Pelini and his staff would be reevaluated after the bowl game, Perlman said "You'll have to ask Shawn about that."
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