Bo Pelini LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 1: Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini expresses himself to an official during their game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2014 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)

As the college football coaching carousel begins to open up spots to fill, there is no shortage of names worth following in this year’s cycle. One name that is starting to generate some intrigue for the Purdue vacancy is former Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini.

Wait – Bo Pelini? And Purdue?

“He would definitely be interested in this job,” an inside source reportedly with close ties to Pelini told 247 Sports. “I think he would make a more immediate impact more than any other guy I believe. He would change that culture real quick.”

Pelini may not be the most ideal coaching hire for Purdue’s long-term stability, but they could certainly do worse than Pelini. Nebraska parted ways with Pelini at the end of the 2014 season and hired Oregon State’s Mike Riley to create a 180-degree change in program temperament. Pelini landed in the FCS at Youngstown State, but his time in the FCS was never truly expected to last very long. After two seasons at Youngstown State, a return to the FBS could be in the cards for Pelini this year, and Purdue feels like a good situation for Pelini, perhaps more than Pelini is a good fit for Purdue.

Purdue would be wise to find a coach that can generate energy for the program and spark the offense. This is not where Pelini checks off the boxes. However, there is no disputing Pelini is an accomplished coach with a good amount of experience from his time at Nebraska in both the Big 12 and Big Ten. Pelini took the Cornhuskers to multiple conference championship games in each conference, and he has an understanding of what it takes to win in the Big Ten. But would Purdue want to go all in on a hot-headed coach who could get frustrated easily at a program that needs to build from the ground up?

If Pelini is interested in the Purdue job, it is perhaps more as a stepping stone back to a better job in the FBS, which Pelini could probably get in time. Even if that is the case, it may not be a horrible plan for Purdue to hire an experienced and accomplished coach to help turn things around. Nebraska players seemed to really like Pelini during his time in Lincoln, and that has to count for something. Purdue players would almost be guaranteed to have a great respect for their new head coach should Pelini land the Purdue job.

[247 Sports]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.