• Video: Nebraska coach Bo Pelini after Monday's practice:
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LINCOLN — The Huskers have passed the midway point of their preseason camp, and coach Bo Pelini has yet to stomp off the practice field and vent at reporters about his team’s lack of focus.
Instead, through 11 practices, Pelini’s on-camera reviews of the team’s daily workouts have been mostly positive.
Strangely positive, actually, considering the self-proclaimed perfectionist issuing the assessments.
So what gives? Has the fiery coach mellowed out in his third year at NU?
Hardly.
It’s just that this Nebraska team hasn’t needed Pelini’s high-intensity, verbal fireballs to remind players about the importance of maintaining a high concentration level on the practice field. Not as often, anyway.
The players seem to have figured out how to reach the coaching staff’s lofty standard of execution. Then, they’ve been able to sustain that throughout a three-hour session.
“Our kids understand how to approach the day,” Pelini said. “I don’t see as many ups and downs. I think our guys are a little more mentally tough than they have been in the past. That’s a positive.”
And as a result, there’s an apparent difference in the way Pelini has been addressing the media during his mini-press conferences so far this camp.
Less criticism, more optimism.
“They understand what it takes. They understand what’s being asked of them,” Pelini said. “You can always get better in every regard. And believe me, just like any other team, there are times when I wish our team would have practiced crisper or better.
“But overall, I like the attitude of the group. I like their work ethic.”
Senior Will Henry can see the difference.
“We’ve improved each year,” he said. “We have an attitude that whenever we go to practice, we’re going to go out there and compete. That’s pretty much the thing.”
It’s exactly what Pelini wants.
Thus, a mild-mannered Pelini can trot toward the dozens of reporters and appear somewhat satisfied as he conveys his daily evaluation of the team’s progress.
But don’t be fooled. He hasn’t lost any of his passion. “He’s still Bo,” Henry said. “Not too much has changed.”
Pelini just doesn’t have to show it on the practice field as often as he used to.
“They’ve come a long way as far as that’s concerned,” he said. “I don’t see our guys feeling sorry for themselves.
“They get a little bit leg weary, and that happens some. It’s human nature. But you don’t see it as often, and it’s not as hard to address. You see our guys out there ready to compete.”
Contact the writer:
402-473-9585, jon.nyatawa@owh.com
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