When Nebraska officials were considering firing football coach Bo Pelini, they surely braced for criticism. After all, Pelini had been fairly successful at Nebraska and had led the team to a 9-3 record in 2014.
But what Nebraska officials may not have expected is that in firing Pelini they may also have forced the closing of the parody Twitter account @FauxPelini, and that has some fans furious.
Through a mix of lighthearted humor and diehard fandom, the Twitter user behind @FauxPelini racked up 162,000 followers. That's 70,000 more than the real Pelini.
The man behind @FauxPelini has remained anonymous, although he's revealed that he's a Cornhuskers fan living in the Chicago area.
"[T]he what-comes-next-question depends on a couple of variables," the account's creator told For The Win. "One is whether he gets a job and how quickly and where it is. Another question is who’s the next (Nebraska coach) going to be …
"I haven’t figured out what it will be if anything. I do know what it probably won’t be, which is I’m not really up for following him to the next place. I’m a Husker fan, that’s how I got started with this thing.”
@FauxPelini's legend grew as the account interacted with opposing players, schools, bowl games, police forces and even the man himself.
In an homage to @FauxPelini, Nebraska's head coach hoisted a cat above his head before his team's spring game.
We'll always have this moment, @FauxPelini. pic.twitter.com/hbpESgnGvt
— Chris Abshire (@ChrisAbshire) December 1, 2014
After Pelini was fired Sunday, many fans turned to @FauxPelini for his reaction. He did not disappoint:
WAIT WHAT
— Fake Bo Pelini (@FauxPelini) November 30, 2014
THAT'S IT I QUIT
— Fake Bo Pelini (@FauxPelini) November 30, 2014
LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT YOU ARE PAYING ME NOT TO LIVE IN LINCOLN NEBRASKA AND I AM SUPPOSED TO BE SAD
— Fake Bo Pelini (@FauxPelini) November 30, 2014
CAN I GO BACK INTO THE STADIUM AND SAY GOODBYE ONE LAST TIME ALSO WHERE IS MY BLOWTORCH
— Fake Bo Pelini (@FauxPelini) November 30, 2014
While there are certainly parody accounts that live on after their inspiration is canned, the man behind @FauxPelini apparently hinted at his fate earlier this year to Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune:
Worst part: During super-secret lunch, @FauxPelini told me he'd prob shut it down if not-fake Pelini got canned. Pls reconsider!
— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) November 30, 2014