LINCOLN — His duties as defensive coordinator are changing and evolving, but Carl Pelini doesn't exactly have a written job description handy to help him explain it.

There will be more responsibility, something Pelini said he has sought since returning to Nebraska to work for his brother, Bo.

Carl will become more of a “walk-around coordinator'' in 2010. Eventually he won't be so tied up in position meetings as before.

But when Carl says “It's a work in progress'' three times during a 15-minute interview, that might indicate the job description is still somewhat in flux five weeks before spring practice.

“It'll be a gradual process. We've had some discussions,'' Carl said. “Bo and I have a general direction of where we want to go with it, but we need to just let it hunt and see where it goes.''

Carl Pelini has been the Huskers' defensive coordinator since 2008, but Bo Pelini was orchestrating the overhaul as coach. As the defense started showing signs of being fixed, Bo was able to balance his overall focus, something he said started to happen “a little'' toward the end of last year.

“I do know that Bo is feeling more comfortable, obviously, about where we are defensively,'' Carl said. “And I would say that between spending more time with the offense, spending more time with special teams, spending more time with recruiting ... it's just freeing himself up to administrate the program in all the areas a little more.''

Carl, 44, has coached the defensive line with John Papuchis each of the past two seasons, and said he gets a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction out of working with the position.

But by turning more of that duty over to Papuchis, Carl would have the freedom to roam in practice and watch more of the whole operation. And with Papuchis mostly handling the position meetings, Carl would inherit more time to study an opponent.

“That was something that I always felt was a great advantage for Bo as a walk-around coordinator at LSU, and here in '03,'' Carl said.

Bo Pelini said the new arrangement would benefit him as well — both in allowing him to take a perch between the offense and defense during practices, and in making his brother more available around the offices.

“It just gives me a little more access to Carl,'' Bo said. “It allows me to kind of do other things at other times. It frees up Carl, which frees me up. It just kind of makes sense.''

The adjustment won't change how NU game-plans and calls defenses. Both Bo and Carl said those processes will continue to be a combined effort of the staff. Because of the prep work involved, Carl said there usually isn't much question as to what's called on a certain down or specific situation in a game.

The system worked pretty well last season: The Huskers led the nation in scoring defense (10.4 points per game) and ranked seventh in total defense (272 yards per game).

“We have a unique way of doing it,'' Bo said. “I don't think that'll ever change. Everybody has input. Everybody's opinion matters. I think that's why we do so well.''

The four defensive assistant coaches received $258,280 in raises when Nebraska on Monday released salary figures for 2010. Athletic Director Tom Osborne said Bo's plan to give Carl more responsibility was part of the reason the defensive coordinator saw his pay go from $208,360 to $375,000.

Carl said he has wanted more on his plate since coming from Ohio University to Nebraska two winters ago.

“That discussion was had when I first got hired, and I think it's gradually happened over time,'' he said. “I think of my first interview ever and (saying) that I was going to seek as much responsibility as I could.

“It'll be interesting how spring goes. I have a vision of what Bo wants, I have a vision of what I want, but you're leaving your comfort zone. You've got to be willing to let go a little bit in order to raise some other aspects. That's hard.''

Contact the writer:

444-1042, rich.kaipust@owh.com

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