Troy Dannen introduced as Nebraska’s newest athletic director
Contract for Trev Alberts’ successor also includes signing bonus, stay bonuses, and multiple performance bonuses
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - Nebraska’s new athletic director was introduced to the public Tuesday afternoon.
Troy Dannen, who has been the AD for the Washington Huskies since October, was offered a six-year deal last week to replace Trev Alberts, who surprised the state with news that he was leaving UNL to become Texas A&M’s athletic director.
“Husker Nation, we’ve found a winner in Troy Dannen. I can’t wait to welcome him and his family to Nebraska,” Interim Nebraska University President Chris Kabourek said in a release last week.
Dannen tried to quiet any whispers right away. He said the average stay for an athletic director is four-and-a-half years, and that AD’s and presidents swap jobs all the time -- after all, he left Washington after only seven months. He said he thought UW would be his last stop -- until Nebraska called.
Dannen, an Iowa native, will be making close to $2 million -- but if he leaves before his six-year deal is up, it’ll be painful. If, say, he resigns next year, he’ll owe UNL $12 million. Should he quit in four years, he’d owe $7 million. That’s triple the buyout Trev Alberts was.
Dannen said coming to Nebraska is all about what’s on front of the jersey. He said Gov. Jim Pillen helped him understand Husker culture.
The University pulled out all the stops to welcome Dannen and his family: a poster in the Memorial Stadium elevator; attendance from head football coach Matt Rhule; women’s basketball coach Amy Williams; and men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg in the crowd.
The AD said his first full sit-down with a head coach, volleyball’s John Cook, happens Wednesday. Dannen called Cook the “John Wooden of volleyball.”
Dannen said he got a good feel and head start for Husker Nation during March Madness play. He also reminded everyone that the players who played before and built the programs own it. The current players don’t fall into that category until graduation.
He said his chief goal is to recruit and retain student athletes, preparing them for the next four decades.
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