Pelini had a relatively short playing career, putting in just two seasons at Columbia University in New York City in 1983 and 1984 as a middle linebacker before returning home to finish his degree.
[2] Prior to finishing his first degree, Pelini began his coaching career with a two-year stint beginning in 1987 as an assistant at his alma mater, Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown.
Two years later he moved up from Graduate Assistant to a position on staff as a Restricted Earnings Coach, while he simultaneously completed his master's degree in journalism at Kansas State.
In 1995, Pelini was appointed as a head coach for the first time, while also assuming the role of athletic director, at Winnetonka High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jeff Jamrog, another Nebraska assistant let go following the dismissal of Frank Solich, was hired as head coach at Minnesota State University, Mankato for the 2004 season.
2006 was the year of resurgence for the long-suffering Ohio program, as they finished with nine wins and won the East Division Mid-American Conference title.
He resigned on October 30, 2013, after FAU athletic director Pat Chun confronted Pelini and defensive coordinator Pete Rekstis with reports of illegal drug use.
On December 18, 2017, sources from the Toledo Blade confirmed that Pelini was to be named the defensive coordinator at Bowling Green State University.
[11] After spending 2019 as the defensive coordinator at Youngstown State University, on July 27, 2020, he was named head coach at his alma mater, Cardinal Mooney High School.