LSU coach is a Buckeye at heart

Charlie Riedel/AP LSU coach Les Miles poses with the BCS championship trophy during a news conference in New Orleans, Sunday.

NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana State defensive coordinator Bo Pelini remembers well the last time the Tigers squared off against Ohio State.

Pelini was a free safety for the Buckeyes during the 1987 1988 home-and-home series between the Bucks and the Tigers.

"I remember coming to (LSU) and it was a great environment the day we played," Pelini said. "We played to a tie and I believe Karl Dunbar blocked the winning field goal. Then the next year it was a crazy game at Ohio State. We should have lost that football game, but we were able to pull it out at the end."

He now leads the Tiger's No. 3 ranked defense into battle against heralded running back Chris Wells and OSU. The former Buckeye captain is saddled with the task of taking down the team for which he once fought so hard.

"I played (at OSU) and had a great experience there," Pelini said. "But this is a different time, place and situation. I have a job to do and that is part of being a professional. You have to take your own emotions out of it."

But the potential for controversy does not end with the Buckeyes. Just weeks ago, Pelini was named coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Pelini's rise only benefits the Buckeyes as it will undoubtedly hamper his preparation for tonight's National Championship Game. Recently, Georgia coach Mark Richt spoke out, saying he made a mistake by continuing at Florida State after taking the lead job for the Bulldogs in 2001.

Coach Les Miles, an Elyria native, understands the concerns that many have about his defensive coordinator leaving the headset on. Despite the change of scenery, Pelini has a distinct rapport with the members of his defense - one that Miles feels could be costly if changed.

"It is unfair for a team that puts it together, has chemistry and works as hard as we do to change the lineup," Miles said. "I certainly wouldn't want to do that. I know that Bo Pelini represents another school in his off hours but he sure has been a joy for us. The guys really enjoy him and I look forward to taking the field and lining up one more time with coach Bo."

Pelini, a graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School, ventured back to his alma mater in 1993 as quarterbacks coach.

He soon joined the staff of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers as a scouting assistant - a position he held less than a season before being promoted to assistant secondary coach.

Assistant positions with the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers followed. Pelini's experience soon netted him a job as defensive coordinator for Nebraska in 2003.

The former Academic All-Big Ten standout spent 2004 as defensive coordinator under Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, another Youngstown native.

Pelini finally settled in Baton Rouge where he has lead the highly praised Tiger defense the past three seasons.

The coach hopes his grand finale for the Tigers can be a successful one.

"I'm no different now than I was at this time last year when (LSU) was preparing for the game against Notre Dame," Pelini said. "My focus is on getting this defense to play a great game."

Despite heading into the biggest game of his career with ties to three teams, Pelini seems surprisingly at ease.

"Obviously you are going to have some emotions high, but that happens anytime you play in game with stakes like this," he said. "I'm used to it, ready to deal with it and ready for the challenge."

Zack Timmons can be reached at timmons.60@osu.edu.