ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Ndamukong Suh loves his alma mater. He says it often and goes back there when he can. So when the University of Nebraska fired his coach, Bo Pelini, on Sunday, Suh was surprised that the guy who he played for wasn’t going to be there anymore.

Especially after Pelini had a career record of 67-27.

“I think anybody would be surprised, a winning coach like that,” Suh said. “Frank Solich kind of went through the same situation back in the day and it’s definitely unfortunate for the university and obviously those players.

“You saw a lot of the guys were upset, especially those guys, the young guys that are going in there and they have to play a bowl game now without their leader. It’s a tough situation. I understand what they are going to go through but I got to focus on Tampa Bay.”

Suh went through his own coaching transition when Nebraska brought in Pelini in 2007 to replace Bill Callahan. Suh called the entire situation “unfortunate” and expressed his love for Pelini, whom Suh played for in his final three seasons with the Cornhuskers, including when he was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2009.

“I love Coach Bo,” Suh said. “He was with me in a critical time in my career and I owe a lot to him. He’s always supported me in everything that I’ve done and I’ll continue to support him.”

Suh declined to comment on who he thinks Nebraska should hire and wouldn’t say whether or not he has spoken with Pelini since he was ousted. When asked whether he felt expectations at Nebraska were out of whack with the reality of college football, Suh deflected that question as well.

“I would love to elaborate on it,” Suh said. “I love the University of Nebraska. I just can’t do it. I got to focus on Tampa Bay. Thank you, though.”

Another Lions player who played at Nebraska, Dominic Raiola, also said he wasn’t sure who Nebraska should hire because he hasn’t been there since his final year with the Huskers in 2000.