Coach Bo Pelini apologizes for profane rant about Nebraska fans

Bo Pelini doesn’t seem to handle criticism too well.

Hours after lashing out at one of Nebraska’s all-time great players for negative comments on Twitter, the Cornhuskers coach found himself apologizing Monday for a nearly 2-year-old profanity-laced rant about the team’s “fair-weather” fans.

The sports website Deadspin.com posted an audio recording of Pelini speaking off the air with Husker Sports Network play-by-play man Greg Sharpe in October 2011. The coach was coming off a win over Ohio State but had faced criticism from fans and the media the previous week after a 31-point loss at Wisconsin.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my comments from two years ago which became public today,” Pelini said in a statement released by the school Monday night. “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.”

Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst said in a statement: “I am disheartened and disappointed by the 2011 comments published today attributed to Coach Pelini about our dedicated and passionate fans and supporters. I have spoken with Chancellor [Harvey] Perlman and I have addressed the situation with Bo and expressed our deep concern.”

Perlman has declined to answer whether Pelini’s job is in danger.

The events came two days after Nebraska’s 41-21 loss to UCLA -- a game in which the Cornhuskers held a 21-3 lead in the second quarter -- and hours after lashing out at one of the program’s all-time greats, Tommie Frazier, who led the Huskers’ unbeaten national championship teams in 1994 and ‘95.

Following the UCLA loss, Frazier took to Twitter to call for the firing of Pelini’s defensive assistants and criticize adjustments -- or lack thereof -- made during the game.

Pelini fired back Monday during his weekly news conference.

“Since I came back here, I’ve embraced the former players, and if he feels like that, then so be it. We don’t need him,” Pelini said of Frazier. “That’s a shame.”

“Until you’ve sat in this seat and done it, anybody can have an opinion; anyone can do that. It’s easy to point fingers and stand outside and throw stones, so I just take it for what it is.”

At least he kept the expletives under control this time.

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