Nebraska's Pelini mentioned in search for new Michigan coach
1/6/2011ANN ARBOR --- A new name has surfaced in the Michigan head coaching search.
Someone with knowledge of the situation believes Nebraska coach Bo Pelini will likely entertain the thought of coaching the Wolverines should school athletic director Dave Brandon approach him. The person was unsure as of Thursday evening whether Brandon and Pelini had spoken.
The coaching search would likely be over had Stanford's Jim Harbaugh agreed to accept the job at Michigan. Harbaugh is reportedly being offered $7.5 million from Miami Dolphins owner and Michigan alumnus Stephen Ross. Michigan won't match that price tag.
Pelini is a former Ohio State player, a factor that could both hurt --- for obvious reasons --- and help his chances for landing the Michigan job. Brandon said Wednesday he'd like to hire a proven head coach with full “knowledge” of what the Michigan job entails. Pelini, of Youngstown, Ohio, is well versed in Michigan football, only from a slightly different perspective.
Pelini is 30-12 in three years at Nebraska, helping to guide the program back to relevance in the Big 12. Consistent, Pelini's teams have lost four games in all three years.
Pelini reportedly turned down the Miami (Fla.) job this offseason, which could be an indication he's willing to leave Nebraska.
Nebraska will join the Big Ten beginning in 2011.