University of Nebraska leaders opened an aggressive search for the Huskers' next athletic director last week as former AD Shawn Eichorst was being shown the door.
“I’m very pleased that search is now active, and we are in the market,†UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
At the same time Green was reaching out to former Husker great Dave Rimington, who began work as the interim AD Tuesday morning, the chancellor was also fielding pitches from search firms eager to work with the university in hiring a permanent leader.
NU expected to finalize an agreement with a “highly recognized search firm†by the end of day Tuesday, Green said.
Once associates of the chosen firm touch down in Lincoln, they will be coordinating the search with committee members representing the “interest of Husker athletics and the institution†appointed by Green.
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A second advisory committee, made up of leaders from within the athletic department, staff members and former athletes, as well as leaders from the academic side of the university, will also be organized to develop a list of qualifications for the next athletic director, Green said.
NU said the search will be conducted behind closed doors. University system President Hank Bounds, who did not attend Tuesday's news conference, is expected to be involved in the search process.
“As you are well aware, we need to find the absolute best leader for our program moving forward,†the chancellor said. “We’re committed to that.â€
Although no concrete timeline was outlined Tuesday, Green said NU would be aggressive “both in terms of getting the right leader†and bringing that person on board quickly.
Rimington will serve as interim athletic director for up to 60 days, putting the end date for announcing a new AD at Nov. 26 — the Sunday following the final football game of the regular season.
“We expect this will be a short search, where we hope to do that as quickly as possible, but we’ll take as long as it takes to find a great leader,†Green said.