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Pelini demands 
'100% dedication to NU' 
from Blackshirts
Also interviews for Seattle job

LINCOLN -- In an unprecedented closed-door meeting with his players Tuesday, Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini questioned his players' commitment to the Cornhuskers, then challenged them to dedicate themselves "mind, heart, body and soul" to the Nebraska program, sources close to the team said. 

Immediately after the meeting, Pelini flew to Seattle, Wash., where he interviewed for an open position with the Seahawks' defensive coaching staff.

"Let me tell you what dedication and loyalty to this program means, men," Pelini was quoted as saying during the heated, 15-minute locker-room gathering following Tuesday's practice. "It means that you don't dog it on even one damn play. It means that your ass is out there on that effin' field playing for and with the other ten players on defense. It means that pansy-assed injuries like broken fingers and sore ankles will not stop you from doing you damn job, or you will lose your damn job." 

"We're all in this together, and to be a champion you first have to give 100 percent of yourself to this program," Pelini continued. "Did you hear me? One hundred percent. And if I have not landed an NFL job by the time your season starts in the fall, then that is what I will demand of you."

Pelini, who was hired by Head Coach Frank Solich to replace the ousted Craig Bohl as leader of Nebraska's once-feared defense, spent nine years as a National Football League assistant before joining the college ranks in Lincoln in December. Prior to taking over the Husker defense, he was the linebackers coach of the NFC North Champion Green Bay Packers, where he developed a feared reputation as a relentless and fiery leader.

"I'm the most intense guy you'll ever meet," Pelini told reporters as the walked through the Memorial Stadium parking lot following the meeting. "I work hard, and I expect everyone around me to work hard, too. If that's too much for some of these kids, then they've got some serious decisions about whether they should stay or go to make before the end of spring ball. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a plane to catch."

During the gathering with defenders, Pelini reportedly invoked his experience in the NFL ranks, flatly telling them he had strong doubts about whether any of them possessed enough dedication, drive and devotion to excel in Lincoln, much less the professional ranks.

"You guys who want to play in the National Football League have no idea what that means," Pelini told players. "Those S.O.B.'s don't even feel pain. Nothing stops them -- and I mean nothing, unless they can't walk. If that's what you're here to do, then I want you to try and earn a spot on our defense. If not, then get the hell out of here, because I, or whoever else may be running this defense when Oklahoma State comes to town, don't want you."

Pelini told reporters he had planned to lay down the law even further, but his speech was cut short by a cell-phone call from his agent, Robert Dombrowski. Dombrowski reminded Pelini that he had to be on a private plane at Duncan Aviation in northwest Lincoln in less than 30 minutes if he was to make it to a scheduled 5 p.m. interview with Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren.

"And another thing, men -- oh, dammit, hold on .... hello? Oh, hey, Bob. Yeah, I was just here talking to the kids ...Yes, I know that it's a two-hour flight. We'll make up the time in the air. You got my resume printed on the good cardstock, right? ... Good, good. I'll see you there."

To a man, Husker players said they were moved by Pelini's speech.

"At first, I couldn't look him in the face because I was so ashamed," said linebacker Barrett Ruud, a starter on last year's defense. "But I realized that if I knuckle down and do my job, if I follow Coach's example and give 110 percent to this program, then I will achieve all of my goals as a player and a person. Plus, that way maybe he'll put in a good word for me with whatever pro team he ends up with. Man, I hope it's not Dallas, I never have liked them much. Hey, maybe he'll get a gig with the Raiders -- Romanowski's getting old, and they could probably use a young linebacker in Oakland."

Solich, who spent the hours following Tuesday's practice playing golf with everyone on his coaching staff except Pelini, said he was glad to see his defensive coordinator finally getting into the Big Red spirit.

"I was just telling (NU linebackers coach) Jimmy Williams how much Bo reminded me of Marc Munford, except that Bo ... well, you know, didn't ever play for Nebraska," Solich said. "And that got us all reminiscing about our playing days here, and who was the most intense defensive teammate each of us ever played with in Lincoln. I was kind of surprised when Jimmy said Steve Damkroger. Barney, he threw out Rod Horn of all people. Turner? Hell, he got going on how wild-eyed Mike Knox was. Ah, it sure is great being around a bunch of Husker family. What's that you say about Seattle? Well, I think if Ichiro gets hot again this year, they're probably as good as anyone in the West."

Pelini said he didn't expect to miss any NU spring drills because of the interview with Holmgren, given that his contract with Nebraska requires him to give the school three weeks' notice if he were to take another job.

"I've learned a lot from Frank," he said. "It would be hard to leave my players and Nebraska, with such a tight-knit coaching staff. But if there's one thing that Frank has taught me, it's that to be great, you have to move around well."

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