Setting the schedule
LINCOLN While Bo Pelini was named as Nebraska's head coach on Dec. 2, 2007, he gets his first real opportunity to put the whistle around his neck as the Cornhuskers' head coach when spring practice starts Wednesday.
Pelini said he's looking forward to the new venture.
"You just lean back on the things that you've had success with over a long period of time," Pelini said. "I've got that 51 percent now, so I can do it exactly the way I want to do it, but at the same time, I have a great staff and they don't work for me, they work with me."
Although the defense clearly needs the most work after the worst statistical defensive season in the program's history, Pelini said spring drills will be a team effort.
"We're all in it together," Pelini said. "We're not, for instance, trying to develop the defense at the expense of what we're trying to do on offense. It's a team thing and we all have to work together to make sure everybody's getting what they need so the program and the whole team moves forward and gets better."
Nebraska is scheduled to practice Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this week before practicing on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays for the following three weeks. The Huskers' 15-practice spring season concludes April 19 with the 1 p.m. Red-White game at Memorial Stadium.
Welcoming Watson
Pelini said he's excited about keeping offensive coordinator Shawn Watson on staff. Watson spent the last two years as Nebraska's offensive coordinator under Bill Callahan, but was retained by Pelini.
Watson, who will implement his version of the West Coast offense, also reportedly turned down a job offer earlier this year to work as offensive coordinator for coach Nick Saban at Alabama to stay with the Huskers.
"He's very detailed, he's a hard worker and he's done a great job of getting the offense on the same page," Pelini said. "I have a lot of confidence in him. I feel very fortunate to have him and I think he's a tremendous football coach."
Glenn is 'full go'
After an injury-plagued 2007 season, Nebraska I-back Cody Glenn appears to be ready to go for spring practice, according to Pelini.
"He had a good winter and he's doing well," Pelini said. "I really like Cody because he's the kind of guy who will do anything to help the football team. He's really a team guy, has the right attitude and I think he's going to be a good football player for us."
Glenn appeared in just five games last season, serving mostly as a short-yardage back. The senior-to-be finished with 27 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
Let's get physical
Sounds like the Nebraska Cornhuskers had better buckle up this spring.
"We need to be a physical football team on both sides of the football and on special teams," Pelini said. "We're not going to be out there playing tag, I promise you that."
Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz, who presumably will wear a green practice jersey and be spared contact, said he figured as much with Pelini taking over as head coach.
"Having a defensive-minded head coach, I can just imagine that it's going to be more physical than it was," Ganz said.
Trading places
Pelini said he had nothing to report yet in terms of potential position changes during spring practice.
"I'm sure there will be some position changes as we go through the spring and there are some things we have in mind, but we haven't done anything yet," Pelini said. "We take the attitude that we'll recommend for somebody to move, but we're never going to make anybody move. If you make somebody move to another position and their heart's not in it, it's not good for anybody."
Plus, Pelini said he and his staff will be hesitant to make any moves until they get to know the players better.
"We're at such an infant stage of knowing what a guy can do at the position they're at, it really wouldn't be a good thing to move anybody right now," Pelini said.
Injury report
Pelini said defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and cornerback Anthony Blue will both miss spring practice due to knee injuries.
I-back Kenny Wilson, who missed all of last season with leg injuries, will start practice on a limited basis.
"He's coming along," Pelini said of Wilson. "He has good days and bad. He's worked his butt off and he went through everything in the winter, but you just don't want to put him out there and have him get set back.
"He's been working with the trainers and really trying to push himself to move on, but he's not 100 percent yet. That's kind of day by day."
Terry Douglass
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