New Nebraska A.D. Troy Dannen finds way to Memphis for a "celebratory time"
MEMPHIS — As Troy Dannen spoke briefly to Nebraska’s media corps Thursday for the first time in his new role, the Husker men’s basketball team was going through a spirited shootaround at FedExForum in advance of its NCAA Tournament first-round game Friday.
Nebraska hoops fans on hand — a significant contingent, for sure — were in full throat.
What a scene for the new guy.
“I think part of my new job is championing everything Husker, whether it be the student-athletes, the coaches, our fans, the city, state and university,” said Dannen, who was named Nebraska’s athletic director on Wednesday after a five-month stint in the same role at Washington.
“You know, you’ve got to be present. This is only my first chance to be around our athletes, the first chance to get to talk to coach (Fred Hoiberg) a little bit. We’ll get to spend a lot of time with fans this weekend.
“It’s a celebratory time. It’s an important time to be here because everybody’s happy.”
That’s largely because Nebraska (23-10) is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade. It’ll face Texas A&M (20-14) at 5:50 p.m. central on Friday as the Huskers shoot for the program’s first-ever win in the Big Dance.
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Dannen said he doesn’t think he’s ever seen a hiring process move as quickly as his did with Nebraska. He’ll make $1.6 million annually as a base salary, which will increase by $100,000 during each of the next five years.
He’ll formally introduced as Nebraska’s 17th athletic director on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m fortunate to be on the end of it that I was on,” he said. “It went so fast. With my wife and family, I was trying to keep up in real time with them, and barely was able to.”
Someone asked Dannen, age 57, about his days as a basketball referee working high school games in the state of Iowa that involved Nebraska basketball coach Fred Hoiberg, 51, who grew up in Ames, Iowa.
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Yes, Fred Hoiberg. Not one of his sons.
“I think Fred won every game that I officiated,” Dannen said with a smile. “So, he’s got to like me. Maybe I can get on the floor tomorrow and help him.”
New A.D. says he’s enjoyed strong support from fans
Dannen mentioned that he perhaps will get to Corvallis, Oregon, where the Nebraska women’s basketball team plays Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. With a win, the Huskers would play again on Sunday.
He also mentioned how much support from Nebraska fans that his family’s received in the past few days.
“I think I’ve forgotten how many people I knew that were either Nebraska alums or lived in Omaha or lived in Lincoln that have reached out to me — voices and faces of a long, lost past,” said Dannen, who was born and raised in Marshalltown, Iowa, a town of roughly 28,000 people.
“I’ve always looked at Nebraska with this level of admiration,” he added. “When I was growing up, it was a standard by which success was measured. To get here and see it’s the same culture, same people, the same facilities — all these same things.”
To be part of it, he said, is “awesome.”
