Matt Rhule describes what Nebraska needs in next athletic director

Trev Alberts stepped away from his job as Nebraska‘s athletic director last week after nearly three years in the role. Moving on to the SEC after being named the new athletic director of Texas A&M on Wednesday.

Alberts hired Matt Rhule as the Cornhuskers’ new head football coach in November of 2022, and as Rhule enters his second season at the helm, he was recently asked what traits and qualities that he’s looking for in Nebraska’s next athletic director.

“I really want somebody who has unbelievable urgency,” Rhule said. “We spend a lot of time talking about the transfer portal and NIL, this is like one of the most pivotal times in college athletics. We just need doers. We need people who just figure it out and work so I love the fact in Trev that I had an athletic director that was here at 7:00, 7:30 every morning in a suit and tie. He was a worker. Pat Kraft who I worked with at Temple, now at Penn State, was a worker. They were right there with you.”

Rhule made it pretty clear what kind of AD he’s looking for, drawing comparisons to past athletic directors he’s worked with and most importantly seeking out a hard worker who will know how to properly navigate Nebraska during these changing times in collegiate athletics.

But Rhule also pointed out the pressure that comes with being at a program like Nebraska, with the next athletic director needing thick skin and the ability to get things done despite the noise that comes with leading one of the most historic athletic programs in the nation.

“I think what we need is somebody that’s gonna come in and just get things done. They have to be really mentally strong because when you come to a place that has as big of a brand as Nebraska, that people are so passionate about and care about, when you do something, a lot of people are going to like it,” Rhule said. “And some people aren’t going to like it and if you’re listening to the outside noise, you have no chance. I’m just hoping that it’s a worker, a doer.”

Rhule also emphasized the need for a leader who isn’t afraid to go toe to toe with college football’s decision-makers and fight for Nebraska. Which could very well be necessary as the college football landscape continues to evolve and head in the direction of haves and have nots.

“I also want someone, Sam, that’s going to go fight in the committees, in the NCAA, going to go fight in the Big Ten. I can say because I’m the football coach, I’m mad we’re playing Texas A&M both games because now the games are about the AD leaving,” Rhule admitted. “It’s not about our players. Our players deserve the games to be about us. So I think having somebody that’s not going to go quietly into the night that’s a doer, that’s a worker. I think that’s what we need to really take what we have and get it on overdrive.”

It will be fascinating to see who Nebraska decides to hire as they usher in a new era of athletics, and if their next athletic director meets the criteria laid out by Rhule.