Steven M. Sipple: Osborne's influence shows Bo's desire to grow

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Turns out, Bo Pelini receives all kinds of advice from Tom Osborne, including how to address those dastardly zebras.

So, what does Osborne tell Pelini about proper referee etiquette?

“To give ’em hell,” Pelini joked.

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It was an enlightening Tuesday at Nebraska’s weekly football press luncheon, especially regarding Osborne’s influence on the program in general and its young head coach in particular.

Who knew Osborne, in his third year as Husker athletic director, holds such sway?

Pelini said they talk regularly, some weeks more than others depending on Osborne’s schedule. Pelini said he has turned to Tom for input on a variety of matters, including:

1. Basic X’s and O’s and in-game situations, such as going for it on fourth down. (Yes, Osborne watches game video.)

2. Officials. Pelini said he recently asked Osborne, “How did you talk to them and do it so you get your point across … in the right way?”

3. Staff issues.

4. Practice schedule. Nebraska’s defense played 87 snaps and performed exceptionally well in a Nov. 7 win against Oklahoma, but Bo felt the Blackshirts still needed improvement. How much is too much practice and how much is not enough?

Bo discusses improvement, Osborne's input



Should we be surprised Pelini seeks regular counsel from Osborne? Probably not. After all, Pelini is only 41. He’s in only his second full season as a head coach. The Nebraska job can be overwhelming. Any number of issues can arise on a given day — issues reporters never hear about, including things I don’t even want to hear about. And if that given day happens to follow a debilitating loss, well, you get the picture.

Why not tap into a 72-year-old living legend who led Nebraska’s program for a quarter-century and won three national crowns?

Some may wonder if Pelini lacks confidence in his own coaching ability. I don’t buy that. Bo is supremely confident in general, almost to a fault, he says. I think, for the most part, he’s comfortable in his own skin, although he seems to understand his weaknesses.

Pelini’s sideline comportment, for instance, gives his detractors ammunition. TV cameras often catch his angry outbursts — they’re probably lying in wait nowadays — and those fleeting scenes formulate some people’s perception of the program.

I’m confident Pelini will continue to improve as a head coach. He’s very determined in that regard. That was evident Tuesday.

“I don’t have all the answers,” he said. “I’m trying to get better every day. But here’s a gentleman (Osborne) who’s lived it, in so many different ways. Forget about X’s and O’s. I’m just talking about being in this position, as Nebraska’s head coach, and the things that happen, the mistakes you make with the media, the fans, whatever it may be.

“Just having his insight is a tremendous advantage to me.”

Of course, Osborne could push his consultation too far. Become too heavy-handed. Pelini’s forthrightness about the subject suggests he’s comfortable with the situation, which is probably all that matters at this point.

NCAA rules, broadly interpreted, say an athletic administrator such as Osborne can provide coaches with feedback and consultation, but can’t coach directly in any manner (i.e., wear a headset in the coaching box).

Here’s the beauty of Osborne: He evidently has a unique way of advising Pelini while making it clear to everyone involved that it’s Bo’s job, that he’s the one who needs to run the team as he sees fit.

“If anything, I wish he’d speak up more often,” Pelini said. “He really handles it in such a professional manner …”

Pelini’s voice trailed off a bit. …

“Sometimes he talks to me the way my father used to talk to me,” said Pelini, whose father, Anthony Pelini, passed away last December.

Osborne is “extremely supportive,” he said. “But he’s willing to give his opinion and be really black and white and say, ‘Hey, I think this is something you need to fix,’ or, ‘I like the way you did this.’

“That’s a great thing to have.”

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.

Vidcast: Osborne's input