Bowling Green defensive coordinator Carl Pelini has left the football program to take another job, the
athletic department announced Saturday morning.
Pelini came to Bowling Green prior to the 2018 season and led the Falcons’ defense. He was elevated to
interim head coach for the final five games of the season following the firing of former head coach Mike
Jinks.
Bowling Green went 2-3 in Pelini’s five games at the helm. He interviewed for the head coaching position
after the season, but the Falcons ultimately went with Scot Loeffler.
Loeffler retained Pelini as his defensive coordinator.
FootballScoop.com is reporting that Pelini is returning to Youngstown State to be its defensive
coordinator and head coach in waiting. Pelini’s brother, Bo, is currently the head coach at Youngstown
State.
A Youngstown native, Carl Pelini previously served as the defensive coordinator at Youngstown State from
2015-17.
With Pelini’s departure, Bowling Green is immediately in need of a defensive coordinator. Loeffler’s
staff is full of experienced assistants, including veteran Brian VanGorder.
VanGorder has been a defensive coordinator at Louisville, Notre Dame, Auburn, Georgia and Central
Michigan. He is currently serving as Bowling Green’s linebackers coach.