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Nebraska and The Rumor Mill
Last night, I stumbled upon a tweet that made me laugh: “Social networking is the worst thing to ever happen to Nebraska football fans. #huskers” - @HuskGuys
I laughed because it’s true. I laughed because I had nothing more I could say, think, or do at that point. Rumors had been flying for hours that our beloved coach, Bo Pelini, would be leaving for Miami. Yes, Miami. Not Miami University in Ohio (which quite frankly would make more sense*, seeing as it is closer to the Holy Grail for Bo), but Miami, Florida. Maybe I’m still stuck in 2001 sitting outside the Rose Bowl crushed that Eric Crouch didn’t lead my team to glory, but does this make sense to anyone? Anyone?
The only realistic explanations I could come up with for Bo leaving were:
1. More money. But I wrote this off pretty quickly because I don’t believe Bo is driven by this. And I’m pretty sure Nebraska could match his asking price.
2. It’s no secret by now that Bo would love to coach at Ohio State. We all knew that from the day he accepted the job at Nebraska. And all was fine and dandy when Nebraska was in the Big 12 and Ohio State was in the Big Ten. But things have changed and Nebraska and Ohio State are suddenly a lot closer than Bo expected. If he stays at Nebraska, could he realistically leave for Ohio State, a school in the same conference? He would then have to play those he recruited and face our fans, which would be very dramatic ordeal to say the least. So maybe, just maybe, he wants out of the Big Ten so he can prep for the Ohio State job. But if that were the case, he wouldn’t choose Miami. Or at least I think. Again, I may still be stuck in 2001.
By this point in my thinking, I was frustrated. I didn’t have answers and I wasn’t sure what I was clinging to until it hit me: rumors. It’s all speculation. Sure, the Miami Herald reported it, but I still question their credibility. That may just be me.
I know Nebraska fans are passionate. I’ve said it before and I mean it, Huskers care deeply about their team and program. To think their head coach is about to up and leave feels like a betrayal. So of course the rumor mill is going strong. Everyone wants answers, and everyone wants them now. However, I believe we may have gotten our answer already, Huskers: “Bo’s never talked to me about anything like that. If he got permission (to talk to Miami), he didn’t get it from me.” - Tom Osborne
So keep heart, Husker fans. From where I’m sitting, it looks like just another big rumor. For all we know, we’ll be hearing next about how Martinez is transferring to Miami with Bo**.
*But in no way is this true. Miami University seems quite happy with Mike Haywood. Although he did go 1-11 his first season…but 9-4 his second. So no rumor here.
**This is also not true.
