‘Get it done’: Pillen blames lack of permanent president for Trev Alberts’ departure

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday blamed a lack of leadership in the University of Nebraska for the sudden departure of Athletic Director Trev Alberts.

It’s been more than 200 days since former NU President Ted Carter left Nebraska for Ohio State.

“That’s a fallout that takes place with a lack of leadership,” Pillen told Channel 8. “We have to get the position filled. Get it done. Let’s go.”

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The governor, a former Nebraska football player and NU regent, said he was confused by Alberts’ decision to resign from UNL and take the same job at Texas A&M.

“I don’t fully understand or know his reasons why,” he said in a statement. “I do know that the time for reflecting on the failures of University leadership, which led to his decision, must come later. Now is the time to act.”

Pillen said it was “unacceptable” that the regents haven’t yet chosen a permanent president.

“It is imperative that they act urgently and decisively to end this uncertainty,” he said in the statement. “Without any delay, they should support Interim President Chris Kabourek’s efforts to immediately appoint a new permanent athletic director.”

Channel 8 reached out to every regent for comment on Thursday. Only one responded.

The chairman of the board, Rob Schafer, said the regents are not to blame.

“We are all disappointed to see Trev leave,” Schafer said. “We had hoped he would be a Husker for many years, and at the leadership level, we certainly took significant steps to make that happen.”

Alberts became athletic director in 2021. Four months ago, he signed a contract extension through 2031.

He received some pushback from the Board of Regents last year when he proposed a $450 million renovation of Memorial Stadium.

The project was approved amid budget cuts across all NU institutions.