Nebraska Football: Why Bo Pelini Isn't Likely To Be LSU's Next Head Coach

"Should I stay or should I go? - If you say that you are mine - I'll be here till the end of time - But you gotta let me know - Should I stay or should I go?"

—The Clash, "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?"

Nebraska fans are set for another round of uncertainty, as current LSU coach Les Miles has announced he will meet with administrators at Michigan to discuss becoming the next head Wolverine. Miles, a former Michigan player, has strong ties to his alma mater and many sites are reporting that he is seriously considering making the move.

Should Miles leave Baton Rouge for Ann Arbor, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini will likely be on the short list of candidates to replace him. And a move to LSU certainly has more substance than the rumors of Pelini taking the job in Miami, as was rumored last month. So would Pelini pack up and head back to the bayou?

There would certainly be some incentives to do so. Between Nick Saban and Les Miles, LSU has become a national force in recruiting. Louisiana itself is a hotbed of football talent, and LSU gets first pick of that talent in the way rivaled only by Texas. If Pelini wanted a situation where he could load up quickly, LSU would be attractive.

Pelini would be a familiar face in Baton Rouge, having been the defensive coordinator there from 2005-07 and being part of a national championship team. Pelini would have a familiarity both with the area and the competition in the SEC.

And the heat's been turned up a little on Pelini in Husker Nation. Pelini drew some unwanted attention and criticism even from the NU faithful after his...enthusiastic demonstrations on the sidelines during the Texas A&M game. This year's season has been seen by many as a failure, even though the team went 10-4. Pelini, famously uncomfortable with the media, has been forced to answer a lot more questions than he has in years past.

Oh, and there's a little matter of money to consider. Pelini currently earns $2.1 million per year, where Miles is making $3.75 million. If LSU loses Miles and come for Pelini, they will come with an open checkbook and give Pelini the chance to nearly double his salary.

Wow. Sounds like a done deal, doesn't it? Well, as the great Lee Corso would say, not so fast, my friend.

Sure, LSU has some advantages in recruiting. But Nebraska, according to ESPN's Jeremy Crabtree, currently has the country's 12th-rated recruiting class next year. Lincoln isn't quite as easy of a draw to bring talent in as Baton Rouge, but Pelini has proven he can stockpile talent even in the snowy plains.

As for the media attention, if Pelini thinks he gets a grilling from Nebraska fans, just let him get to Death Valley. This year, LSU went 10-2, and won the Cotton Bowl in convincing style—and LSU fans still booed him at home. There is a contingent of LSU fans that believe Miles is the wrong guy to be the head Tiger and have agitated for his removal.

This, after Miles has put up a 62-17 record, went 5-1 in bowl games and won a national championship in his tenure.

Sure, that's likely not the opinion of a majority of LSU fans. But it's a bigger percentage than the anti-Pelini section of Nebraska fans. And if Pelini's uncomfortable with Nebraska fans after their reaction to this season, what does he think LSU fans will do to him if he puts up a season like 2010 in Baton Rouge?

Plus, Pelini isn't from LSU. He's not even from the SEC. He's from Ohio, from Big Ten country. If it were Jim Tressel leaving Ohio State, there might be more to worry about. Particularly with Nebraska's pending move to the Big Ten. It's likely Pelini will feel more comfortable at Nebraska than LSU.

And it's not like NU doesn't provide a chance to be successful. Once NU demonstrated even a pulse on offense, with the defensive credit Pelini has earned, Nebraska was in the conversation as a national championship contender. 

So if everything else is either a functional push or at best a slight lean towards LSU, why would Pelini uproot his family again, leave unfinished business in Lincoln (particularly after feeling stung when then-athletic director Steve Pederson denied him a chance to finish that business in 2003) and risk earning a reputation as a carpet-bagger incapable of building a foundation?

Money? Maybe. But don't kid yourself. Tom Osborne might be a conservative guy, but if money's the only difference, he'll splash whatever cash is needed to keep Pelini. Osborne knows he's got a star in Pelini, and he knows the cost to Nebraska if Pelini gets away.

Nebraska fans should get used to Pelini's name being mentioned whenever big-time coaching vacancies come up. It's a good sign, quite honestly, a sign that Pelini has brought the Nebraska program back from the chasm of irrelevance over which it teetered for a while.

Is it possible Bo could bolt for Baton Rouge if offered? I suppose. But the more you look at it, the less sense the move makes for Pelini. Nebraska fans should be relieved that their collection of replica grey hoodies will be safe, at least for the time being.

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