Carl Pelini: Nebraska Coordinator to Florida Atlantic?

Who is the coach that the Nebraska Cornhuskers cannot afford to lose?

I would say it is defensive coordinator, Carl Pelini.

If reports are correct, the Blackshirt defense will need a new coach next year. According to Brett McMurphy of cbssports.com, Carl Pelini was offered the head coaching position at Florida Atlantic University and he is expected to accept it.

Pelini will take over for legendary head coach Howard Schnellenberger.

Schnellenberger is the coach that led the Miami Hurricanes to victory over Tom Osborne and his Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 1983 Orange Bowl.

Carl Pelini's departure to Florida Atlantic will most likely result in Bo Pelini stepping back in to run the defense. Bo Pelini handed over control of Nebraska's defense to his brother Carl before the season.

Two questions must now be answered—Will Carl Pelini coach Nebraska's defense in its bowl game and who will Nebraska hire as its next defensive coordinator?

Usually when coaches leave for another school they do not stick around for the bowl game because the new coach needs to get started recruiting. I think that will be the case for Pelini.

If Nebraska hires a new defensive coordinator it will have to be someone with ties to Bo Pelini. Mike Stoops is the first name that comes to my mind.

If the report from cbssports.com is true, Nebraska will lose one of its best coordinators in school history.

Good luck to Carl Pelini with his new job!

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