Gov. Jim Pillen said Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts’ abrupt decision to take the same job at Texas A&M was upsetting, and he urged the university’s board of regents on Thursday to act promptly to fill vacant leadership positions.
Pillen, a former regent who played football for the Cornhuskers from 1976 to 1978, issued a “call to action” less than 24 hours following Alberts’ declaration.
“I am deeply disappointed by Trev Alberts’ decision to leave so soon after restating his commitment to Nebraska, and I do not fully understand or know why,” the Republican governor said in a statement. “I understand that the time to reflect on the mistakes of University leadership that led to his decision will come later. “Now is the time to act.”
Alberts just signed a contract extension that would go until 2031. His yearly basic compensation this year was $1.7 million, and a stipulation in his new contract pledged to make adjustments as needed to keep him among the top three highest-paid Big Ten athletic directors.
The terms of his contract with Texas A&M were not publicized.
Alberts did not reply to calls for comment. In recent interviews, he expressed irritation that the regents had not hired a president to succeed Ted Carter, who was designated Ohio State’s president in August.
