Bo Pelini Apologizes for Ripping Nebraska Fans in 2011 Audio Leak

Early Saturday afternoon, the Nebraska Cornhuskers went into the locker room at halftime of its game with UCLA leading 21-10. The defense had given a potent Bruins offense fits and an upset seemed to be brewing in Lincoln.

Fast forward 48 hours and Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini is on the hot seat. How could things change so drastically? Well, UCLA scored 31 unanswered points in the 2nd half, former Nebraska great Tommie Frazier called for coaching changes, audio of Pelini cussing fans and media surfaced from 2011, and now the sixth-year head coach is left back-peddling like many of his defensive backs.

Following the 41-21 home loss to UCLA, Frazier shared the following thoughts on Twitter:

After letting it sink in for about 4 hours I still struggling. It’s time to get rid of the defensive play caller, the Dc, lb dl and db coaches. I hate saying this but this crap is getting old. How in the hell do you not make adjustments or put your players in the position to compete? If this is what is going to happen for the remainder of the season, count me out. I don’t care if we lose a game but the way we are losing is just not what #Nebraska fans deserve. I have fought, bled, and cried over this program. I didn’t do all that for the program to become what it has today. Time for change! I will comment about the offense this week on Tommie’s X’s and O’s. Trust me you don’t want to miss it. #Huskers

Pelini addressed those comments in his press conference on Monday but said, "If he feels that way, so be it. We don't need him." Although he was trying to stick up for his team, that statement alienated much of his fanbase and resulted in endless backlash on social media.

But Pelini's day was just getting started.

Just after 5 p.m., Deadspin released a NSFW audio clip from 2011 where he spiels profanity towards fans for leaving the game early and media for behavior at press conferences before going on air with the Nebraska radio network for a postgame interview.

Pelini obviously had no idea the microphone was on or that the producer was already recording for the interview, but the situation in Lincoln reached the point where someone felt the need to release this two years later.

The head coach had to make another statement Monday night, saying:

I want to sincerely apologize for my comments from two years ago which became public today. I take full responsibility for these comments. They were spoken in a private room following the Ohio State game. I was venting following a series of emotional events which led to this moment. That being said, these comments are in no way indicative of my true feelings. I love it here in Nebraska and feel fortunate to be associated with such a great University and fan base. I again apologize to anyone whom I have offended.

 

What the future holds for Nebraska football remains uncertain at this point, but it appears a powerful group of Nebraska supporters have chosen their side.