Big Ten football coaches say there aren’t very many places where they can unload frustrations about fans, reporters or anyone else without paying a price. On a weekly call with reporters, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said that about the only person a coach can vent to in confidence is his wife. And he joked that that isn’t a sure thing.

The sports website Deadspin this week released a two-year-old recording of Nebraska coach Bo Pelini complaining after a game about Cornhusker fans and news media. Pelini said he thought the conversation was private. He also has apologized.

Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio said venting is a necessity. Ferentz said he tells his players to assume they’re always being recorded and coaches have to do the same.