Tradition. Passion. Discipline.
Those are a few of the trademarks that define Nebraska football and are characteristics that have made Nebraska one of the most storied and decorated programs in college football history.

The words can also be used to describe Bo Pelini-the man in his second season in charge of the Cornhusker football program.

The youngest of eight children, Pelini grew up in the hard-nosed town of Youngstown, Ohio. Pelini's parents instilled the discipline at a young age that has guided Bo to success both in and out of athletics.

Pelini's passion for athletics began in Youngstown. After a standout prep career at Cardinal Mooney High School, Pelini went on to Ohio State. A hard-hitting safety, Pelini was known for his passionate and relentless play. Teammates recognized his leadership and elected him a team captain as a senior.

The tradition of being part of winning programs did not end after Pelini's playing career. His coaching career has featured success at every stop along the way. A Super Bowl ring and a national championship are part of the 41-year-old's impressive resume.

That coaching resume included a one-year stop as defensive coordinator at Nebraska. During the 2003 season, Pelini quickly learned the traditions of Nebraska football and its passionate fan base. In turn, Husker fans recognized the discipline and passion instilled by Pelini in the Blackshirt defense.

After four years as the nation's most successful defensive coordinator, Pelini returned to Lincoln in December of 2007. Nebraska Athletic Director and Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne named Pelini the 28th head coach in Nebraska football history on Dec. 2, 2007.

In his first season in charge of the program, Pelini stayed true to his disciplined, no-nonsense attitude. The result was a Cornhusker team that reflected the mentality of its head coach, continued to improve throughout the 2008 season and provided momentum heading into the offseason.

Pelini guided the Huskers to a 9-4 record, capped by victories in the Huskers' final four games and six of the season's final seven contests. The late-season surge allowed Nebraska to earn a share of the Big 12 North Championship, and the Huskers picked up their ninth win with a 26-21 come-from-behind victory over Clemson in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl. The win was a fitting conclusion for a team that developed a toughness that was a direct extension of its head coach.

Pelini became just the fourth Cornhusker coach to win nine games in his first season, taking a place alongside only Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne and Frank Solich. The nine wins were also tied for the most among the 18 first-year 2008 head coaches in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and were the most among first-time head coaches.

Nebraska's current four-game winning streak is the longest for the Huskers entering a season since 2000. The 6-1 run to close 2008 tied for the best by a Nebraska team since 1997, and Nebraska won its final four games for just the second time since 1997.

The success under Pelini in 2008 can be attributed to both sides of the football. The Husker offense continued to rank among the nation's best, finishing in the nation's top 20 in passing offense, scoring offense and total offense, while developing a consistent running game over the second half of the season.

The biggest gains were made on the defensive side of the ball where Pelini implemented his proven defensive system. Nebraska improved its total defensive average by 126.9 yards per game and finished second in the Big 12 in total defense. The run defense allowed 116.5 yards per game, nearly cutting its average from 2007 in half and finishing in the top 25 nationally in that category. The Blackshirts also posted 35 sacks, nearly tripling the total of the previous season.

The successful first season for Pelini came as a result of his ability to quickly implement his attitude and leadership into the program. After taking over the Huskers, Pelini wasted no time instilling a disciplined approach on and off the field, while also embracing the traditions of the Cornhusker football program. Pelini built a coaching staff that had close ties to both the Pelini family and the Nebraska football family.

The Nebraska staff includes three former Husker players, and six full-time assistant coaches with previous experience at Nebraska. Seven coaches have worked alongside Pelini, including five members of the 2003 Husker staff. His Youngstown roots are also represented with three Cardinal Mooney grads among the Husker coaches.

Pelini immediately showed the discipline to handle multiple tasks following his hiring. While quickly taking charge of all aspects of the Nebraska program, Pelini was also committed to finishing what he had started at LSU. Pelini returned to Baton Rouge in mid-December and successfully orchestrated the Tigers' defensive game plan for the BCS National Championship game against Ohio State. The 38-24 win over the Buckeyes was keyed by a defense that forced three turnovers and had five sacks.

Following the championship victory, Pelini turned his full focus to Nebraska. His first order of business in Lincoln was to pull together the Huskers' 2008 recruiting class. Pelini successfully organized and led a recruiting charge that allowed Nebraska to sign a talented and balanced recruiting class in February. In its first full year together, Pelini's staff assembled another impressive group of recruits in 2009.

Pelini also understands the importance of the storied Nebraska walk-on program, and has integrated it as a key part of the Huskers' recruiting plan. The Cornhusker staff has welcomed nearly 50 walk-ons to the program in the first two seasons, and will continue to make the walk-on program a focus in future years.

Pelini has also reached out to two groups that form the backbone of the tradition-rich Nebraska program-its former players and its passionate fan base.

Former Cornhuskers have rallied behind Pelini's blue-collar approach to returning Nebraska to its place among the nation's elite. In turn the head coach has opened his door to those who helped build the program. Pelini has made a strong effort to connect with former players and those past Cornhuskers have become a fixture in the football offices and at practices.

Pelini has made regular public appearances around the state, reaching out to the nation's most loyal fans. The widespread support for Pelini has been evident at every stop and his simple, humble approach is a perfect fit with Nebraskans. The support for Pelini has been evident since his arrival, beginning with 80,000 fans at the Red-White Spring Game in April of 2008 to loyal followings on the road and at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville.

While devoting time to former players, fans and attracting talented future Huskers, Pelini's No. 1 professional priority has been, and always will be, the current players in his program. Players have responded to his straight-forward message: Work hard, do the right thing and success will follow.

That approach has worked for Pelini at each of his previous stops. In his three seasons as the defensive coordinator at LSU, Pelini's dominant defenses helped the Tigers compile a 34-6 record, including the 2007 BCS national championship and the Southeastern Conference championship. The BCS title game in January of 2008 marked the third time in four years that Pelini was a part of a team that played in a BCS game.

The play of Pelini's defenses was a key part of LSU's success. The Tigers ranked third in the nation in total defense in 2007, surrendering an average of 288.8 yards per game. LSU also ranked in the top 25 nationally in pass efficiency defense (3rd), passing yards allowed per game (9th), rush defense (14th) and scoring defense (17th). Senior defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was the nation's most decorated defender in 2007, earning the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award, while safety Craig Steltz earned All-America honors.

Pelini's defenses have a history of swarming to the football. LSU forced 36 turnovers in 2007, the third-most takeaways in the country, and it was a fourth-quarter interception return for a touchdown that provided the difference in LSU's SEC title-game win over Tennessee. The Tigers' 2007 defensive success was the standard for Pelini at LSU, as each of his three LSU defenses ranked No. 3 nationally in total defense.

Pelini's 2006 unit surrendered just 242.8 yards per game, the fewest by a Tiger team since 1976. The play helped LSU to a No. 3 final national ranking, and the Tigers led the SEC in six categories and also ranked in the top five nationally in scoring defense, pass defense and pass efficiency defense. A pair of Tigers earned first-team All-America honors, including Dorsey and safety LaRon Landry, who went on to become the sixth overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.

In 2005, the Tigers allowed just 266.9 yards per game, and ranked in the top 10 nationally in all four major defensive categories, including third in total defense, scoring defense and pass efficiency defense. Kyle Williams and Claude Wroten were both first-team All-America selections.

Pelini served as the co-defensive coordinator on Bob Stoops' staff at Oklahoma in 2004, helping the Sooners win a Big 12 title and reach the national championship game against USC. Oklahoma finished the season ranked sixth nationally in rush defense, 11th in scoring defense and 13th in total defense.

Pelini's first collegiate full-time job came at Nebraska in 2003, when he engineered a dominant Blackshirt defense and earned widespread support from the Cornhusker faithful. As the coordinator of the Huskers' defense for Head Coach Frank Solich, Pelini led an energized unit that finished among the Big 12 and nation's best in nearly every defensive category.

Nebraska finished the year ranked first nationally in pass efficiency defense, second in scoring defense and 11th in total defense. Pelini's defense was also one of the most opportunistic in school history. The Huskers set a school and Big 12 record with 32 interceptions and tied an NU record with 47 takeaways, helping Nebraska lead the nation in turnover margin.

Pelini began his second tour of duty at Nebraska with a victory on his resume. His first tenure in Lincoln was capped by serving as the interim head coach for Nebraska's dominant 17-3 win over Michigan State in the 2003 Alamo Bowl. NU's performance in that game reflected Pelini's personality as the Huskers controlled the line of scrimmage with the running game and the defense held MSU to just 174 total yards and a first-quarter field goal.

Overall, the six college teams Pelini has been a part of have compiled an impressive 65-14 record, winning at least nine games every season. His defenses have posted eight shutouts and held the opposition to seven points or less 28 times.

Before joining the Huskers in 2003, Pelini had nine years of NFL experience, one season at a Division I university, and one year in the high school ranks. Pelini broke into the NFL in 1994 as assistant secondary coach for head coach George Seifert and the San Francisco 49ers. Originally hired as a scouting assistant, Pelini was quickly promoted to assistant secondary coach in the spring of 1994. Less than a year after his promotion to an on-field coaching spot, Pelini was coaching in the Super Bowl, helping the 49ers to a 49-26 win over San Diego in Super Bowl XXIX. Pelini held that position for three years before moving to the Patriots for the 1997 season.

As a member of the Patriots staff, Pelini coached the linebackers under head coach Pete Carroll. Pelini helped the Patriots go 27-21 over a three-year period with the club making the playoffs twice. Pelini's efforts were highlighted with a Pro Bowl appearance by Chris Slade in 1997, the first Patriot linebacker to be named All-Pro since 1989.

After three years with the Patriots, Pelini moved to the Packers, coaching linebackers for three seasons. In three years in Green Bay with head coach Mike Sherman, the Packers posted a 33-15 record and advanced twice to the playoffs. In 2002, the Packer defense ranked fourth in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 188.4 yards per game.

Pelini got his start in coaching in 1991, serving as a graduate assistant coach at Iowa under Hayden Fry. From there he moved into the high school ranks, serving as quarterbacks coach at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio in 1993 before taking the leap to the 49ers.

A standout free safety at Ohio State from 1987 to 1990, Pelini earned four letters for the Buckeyes. He was coached by Earle Bruce in 1987 and John Cooper his final three seasons. Pelini helped the Buckeyes to a 15-8 record over his final two seasons as a starter, and he was a three-time selection to the Academic All-Big Ten team. As a senior co-captain Pelini received the "Bo Rein Award," given annually to the Buckeyes' most inspirational player.

After earning his bachelor's degree in business marketing from Ohio State in 1990, Pelini completed his master's degree in sports administration at Ohio University in 1992. Pelini and his wife, Mary Pat, have three children, a 10-year-old son, Patrick, and two daughters, Kate, 8 and Caralyn, 6.

The Bo Pelini File
Birthdate: Dec. 13, 1967 in Youngstown, Ohio
Wife: Mary Pat
Children: Patrick, Kate, and Caralyn
High School: Cardinal Mooney, '86
College: Ohio State, 1990

Playing Experience

Head Coaching Experience

Bowl and Playoff Experience

Pelini’s College Defenses National Rankings