Because, of course.
Bret Bielema has already shocked the world once, leaving his job at Wisconsin for one at Arkansas. Could the head coach be ready to bolt the SEC, just as it appears he has the Razorbacks on the right track, and head back to the Big Ten?
According to FootballScoop.com, Nebraska has set its sights on Bielema to replace Bo Pelini. The words the coaching website uses in what’s merely a little blurb, though, seems to indicate that the interest is two-sided and very real:
And that’s the extent of the report. So, what to make of it?
Nebraska’s athletic director, Shawn Eichorst, worked at the side of Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez from 2009-11, and is said to be a very big fan of Bielema’s. Also, the thinking is that Eichorst wants to make a big splash with this hire; pilfering from Bielema from an SEC school would certainly achieve that goal, especially when it’s a former coach of a current divisional rival.
Additionally, the buyout is not prohibitive. As it stands now, Bielema -- or the hiring school -- would owe $2.5 million; that drops to $2 million in January, and $500,000 every year thereafter.
Of course, then there’s this, from a conference call Wednesday, just a few hours ago, Bielema had with local beat reporters.
Then again, this could always be simply a ploy by Bielema’s agent (I see you working, NC) to get his client a “revamped” deal.
Either way, it’s fascinating theater.
