Things I know, and things I think I know:
Trev Alberts is intriguing as a potential candidate to be the next Nebraska athletic director.
In fact, the former Husker football great intrigues me more than anyone else on the "Husker ties" list — not that I think "Husker ties" should be a prerequisite for the position.
An excellent leader with the right mix of attributes for the job could quickly ascertain the advantages and disadvantages of the Nebraska athletics landscape. Shawn Eichorst, fired Thursday, never seemed to gain a strong grasp of the terrain after being hired in October 2012 from Miami (Florida).
His recent bungling of the "Black Friday" matter showed a clear disconnect with rank-and-file Husker fans.
That said, Nebraska would be shortsighted to limit the scope of its AD search to only those who've had direct ties to the athletic department. For one thing, doing so wouldn't necessarily guarantee a good fit. You remember Steve Pederson, right?
People are also reading…
A North Platte native and University of Nebraska graduate, Pederson was fired as Nebraska's athletic director in October 2007 amid concerns about his management style and direction of the athletic program. A 45-14 homecoming loss to Oklahoma State was the end. In fact, then-chancellor Harvey Perlman set the wheels in motion for Pederson's ouster before that game was complete, sources told me at the time.
Of course, Pederson's hire was initially met with considerable fanfare, as he was highly regarded by many (guilty!) for his Midwest values. Prevailing wisdom was he understood the culture and would fit perfectly. Turns out, he was an awful fit — even though his first job in college athletics was as an NU sports information assistant. He later became NU's recruiting coordinator from 1982-86 before returning to the school for a stint (1994-96) as an associate athletic director.
None of that made him a great leader.
So now, when Nebraska Chancellor Ronnie Green and President Hank Bounds ponder candidates to replace Eichorst, here's hoping they learn from NU's past mistakes. For instance, Eichorst was a policy-driven leader who tended to be aloof. Fostering trust and loyalty throughout the department was a shortcoming (Pederson was a disaster in that regard). That can't happen again.
Credit Eichorst for apparently having the best interests of his student-athletes in mind. His coaches? Well, his foremost detractors would tell you he led a department that didn't exactly put a premium on allowing coaches to use their experience and know-how to create the most competitive environment possible. In short, NU became a bit soft in some areas.Â
So, no surprise that Green, in announcing Eichorst's dismissal, said repeatedly Nebraska needs to raise its competitiveness.
Although hindsight tells us Eichorst lacked the right mix of attributes for the Husker job, I didn't hear that cry when his hire was announced. But he had been Miami's athletic director for fewer than two years — his only stint as a Division I AD.
As for Alberts, he's been the AD at Nebraska-Omaha since 2009 and oversaw a four-year transition to Division I athletics, a move that's been a financial challenge, to say the least. Bounds has gotten involved with tough questions for UNO leaders.
Alberts has had to make tough decisions and learned to lead under challenging circumstances.
Fire makes iron, right?
And remember, the guy had three sacks and three quarterbacks hurries in the 1994 Orange Bowl playing with a bulky cast on one arm. He's a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He's revered by Husker fans. It guarantees nothing, but maybe helps, right?
He possesses the sort of big-time presence that captivates a room.
He should get a long look as a candidate.
* I suggest patience during Nebraska's search for an AD. I would be surprised if a hire is made by Nov. 1.
* Regarding Husker quarterback Tanner Lee's struggles, recall offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf's cautionary words Aug. 28 — five days before the opener. Yes, Langsdorf said at the time, NU coaches have high expectations for the junior transfer.
"But to say, 'Well, he's a first-rounder — it's a sure thing,' I think that's kind of silly until he plays some games," the coach said.
Full disclosure: I rode the hype train. Lesson learned (yeah, right).
* Central Florida 38, Maryland 10. But you knew that.