Carl Pelini is in his second season on his younger brother's Nebraska coaching staff. In his first season as Nebraska's defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, Pelini helped the Huskers field one of the nation's most improved defensive units.

The Nebraska defense finished second in the Big 12 in total defense and ranked among the top 25 nationally in rushing defense. After creating 13 sacks in 2007, a re-energized Blackshirt defense had 35 sacks in 2008, third-best in the Big 12, including 19 in the final four games of the season. The Blackshirts also finished tops in the conference on third downs, allowing opposing teams to convert only 33.7 percent.

Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh thrived under Pelini, leading the team and all Big 12 defensive linemen in tackles with 76. Suh also posted a team-high 19 tackles for loss, and led the team in sacks (7.5) and interceptions (2). For his performance Suh was a first-team All-Big 12 selection. Fellow defensive linemen Ty Steinkuhler and Zach Potter were honorable-mention All-Big 12 selections.

Pelini joined the NU staff after three seasons on Frank Solich's coaching staff at Ohio University. Pelini previously served as the Huskers' defensive graduate assistant in 2003, when Bo Pelini was the defensive coordinator. Carl Pelini worked with the defensive line, helping NU rank second nationally in scoring defense and takeaways and 11th in total defense.

Following his one season with the Huskers, Pelini spent 2004 as the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Minnesota State Mankato, under head coach Jeff Jamrog, a former Husker player and assistant coach. Pelini helped the Mavericks to a 6-5 record after a winless season the previous year.

After one season in Mankato, Pelini was hired to coach the defensive line at Ohio University. He played a vital role in helping the Bobcats turn around their football program. The recent success in the Ohio program was highlighted by the 2006 season, when the Bobcats won the Mid-American Conference Eastern Division and played in the GMAC Bowl against Southern Miss. The nine victories by Ohio in 2006 marked the most for the school since 1968, also the last time the school played in a bowl game.

The Bobcat defense ranked in the top 30 nationally in scoring and total defense in 2007. Pelini's defense played a key role in OU's overall success while also earning individual acclaim. In 2006, Pelini helped a pair of Bobcat defensive linemen to second-team all-league honors, marking the first time since 1996 the Ohio defensive line had multiple all-league players. While at Ohio, Pelini also coached a pair of players who earned honorable-mention freshman All-America honors.

Pelini was an accomplished high school coach prior to his first stint at Nebraska. He was the head coach at Fitch High School in Austintown, Ohio, from 2000 to 2002. Pelini rebuilt a program that had not had a winning season for eight years before his arrival, culminating with a 6-4 record in 2002. The school now boasts one of the top Division I programs in Northeast Ohio.

Pelini was also the head coach and athletic director at Winnetonka High School in Kansas City, Mo., from 1996 to 2000. He led the rebound of a program that had struggled prior to his arrival. Pelini's 1997 team finished 8-2 and he was named Suburban Conference Coach of the Year. Pelini also served as the defensive coordinator at Blue Valley High School in Overland Park, Kan.

Pelini played two seasons at Columbia University, before transferring to Youngstown State, where he completed his degree work in 1989. While working toward his bachelor's degree, Pelini was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Cardinal Mooney High School. He was a defensive graduate assistant on Bill Snyder's staff at Kansas State in 1989 and 1990, then served as a restricted earnings coach in 1991.

Pelini earned his bachelor's degree in English literature from Youngstown State in 1989. He added a master's degree in journalism from Kansas State in 1991 and a master's in education from Ohio State University in 1993.

Carl and his wife, Kelley, are the parents of three children, Nicole, Danielle and Dominic.

Date and Place of Birth: July 15, 1965

Family: Wife, Kelley, Daughters, Nicole (14), Danielle (13); son, Dominic (8)

Education: Bachelor’s, English literature, Youngstown State, 1989; Master’s in journalism, Kansas State, 1991; Master’s in education, Ohio State, 1993.

Playing Experience: 1983-84, Columbia

Coaching Experience: 1987-88, Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown Ohio (assistant coach); 1989-90, Kansas State (graduate assistant); 1991, Kansas State (restricted earnings coach); 1993-94, Blue Valley High School, Overland Park, Kan. (assistant coach/defensive coordinator); 1995-99, Winnetonka High School, Kansas City, Mo. (head coach, athletic director); 2000-02, Fitch High School, Austintown, Ohio (head coach); 2003, Nebraska (graduate assistant/defense); 2004, Minnesota State (assistant coach/defensive coordinator, secondary); 2005-07, Ohio (assistant coach/defensive line); 2008-09, Nebraska (assistant coach/defensive coordinator, defensive line).