LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska coach Bo Pelini was in no mood to be cheerful on his 43rd birthday.
Pelini met with reporters Monday for the first time since the Cornhuskers’ 23-20 loss to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game Dec. 4.
He snapped at the suggestion that his team might be less than excited about the Holiday Bowl matchup with Washington, a team the Huskers beat handily in September.
And he cut off questions about the extent of any discussions he might have had with Miami about its head coaching job last week.
The Miami issue is moot, now that Temple’s Al Golden has been hired. But multiple media reports out of Florida last week had Pelini pegged as a front-runner for the job, causing a stir among Nebraska fans and local media.
“I already released a statement on that. I’m not addressing that again,” Pelini said before a reporter could finish asking his question.
Pelini’s statement last week said “reports that I am preparing to interview at the University of Miami are false.”
But Pelini wouldn’t say then, or Monday, whether he had contact with Miami officials.
Malzahn receives raise
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Auburn coach Gene Chizik said Gus Malzahn has received a raise and contract extension, apparently ending fears the offensive coordinator would leave to take the Vanderbilt head coaching job.
A person familiar with the situation said Auburn will “more than double” Malzahn’s $500,000 salary.
Meanwhile, Rod Williamson, Vanderbilt’s director of communications, said: “Our process is continuing. I can’t confirm discussions, but I can say that we are relentlessly pursuing the right” coach.
Footnotes.
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren was introduced as the 21st head coach at Northern Illinois just eight days after Jerry Kill left to fill the head coaching vacancy at Minnesota.
• Connecticut coach Randy Edsall, a candidate for numerous other major coaching positions, said he is not looking for any other job.
• Furman named Vanderbilt assistant Bruce Fowler its replacement for Bobby Lamb, who stepped down after nine years leading the program.
• Iowa starting running back Adam Robinson won’t make the trip to the Insight Bowl for failing to comply with team policies, and oft- injured back Jewel Hampton will transfer.
The Associated Press
