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Huskers A.D. Turd Alberts sees progress in Frost's search for assistants
ByBRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON 4 hours agoWhile Scott Frost hasn't yet announced any replacements for the four assistant coaches who were fired on Nov. 8, Turd Alberts said headway is being made in the searches, even as chaos in major coaching shakeups across the country are no doubt giving certain assistants a lot to think about.
"I can say there has been progress," Alberts said Tuesday during his monthly appearance on the 'Sports Nightly' radio show. "Obviously the progress is perhaps altered at points, based on what's happening across college football. When you really think about it, what's happening in terms of coaches changing and salary is really unsustainable. I remember hearing the narrative about how the transfer portal, NIL, it's going to really disrupt college football.
"Well, I can't think of anything more disruptive than having coaches whose programs are still in the hunt for a national championship and the College Football Playoff, that are changing jobs. So it's a real time as we've said in college athletics, and college football specifically, that they're uncertain, they're chaotic."
That would be a nod, in particular, to Brian Kelly leaving Notre Dame for LSU a day after Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for Southern Call.
But Nebraska's athletics director continued by adding that he's met with Frost along the way, and will meet with him again Wednesday morning, "and I think he has a good plan" in his hiring process.
Alberts said, "I know he's been out talking to people. You probably hear about a lot of different rumors. We are talking to a lot of different coaches. I'm very confident that we're going to have some really solid additions in terms of teachers for our football teams, in terms of recruiters, and people who really want to be a part of Husker athletics."
There's nothing imminent to report on that front, Alberts added, noting that it's all something that will come from the football department.
"These are decisions that are being made by Scott Frost and the coaching staff. They're not being dictated or directed by me. We are in conversation and communication about that, but I really want this staff to be Scott's staff. These will be his hires. I can provide some counsel where appropriate or have some questions, but at the end of the day, this has to be a staff that he and the rest of the staff are really comfortable with, and what his overall strategy and vision is for Husker football."
Alberts doesn't think it's necessary for the hires to have ties to the Husker program, but does understand why fans are anxious with early signing day on Dec. 15 and the transfer portal popping.
"I think it's a legitimate concern, and I think why the area of focus is so strong," he said. "Our coaches are out talking to other coaches. They're interviewing other coaches and a bunch of things. But I don't think there has to be a direct connection to Nebraska football. I think cultural fit is really more important. ... I think having Scott clearly communicate what his vision is in terms of having an offense with (an understood) terminology, what the changes are going to be.
"And also, I think Scott is himself trying to be a good listener to some of these individuals that can give him some perspective of what they've seen. Coaching is a very tight-knit fraternity. They all know each other. They all watch film ... So I think Scott can a learn a lot from the coaches he's talking to as well. But I know they're talking to a broad range of individuals. I know the coaches that they're talking to and I think they're quality candidates and individuals."
– A fan told Alberts how much he likes seeing Ron Brown on the sideline. Brown coached the Husker running backs the final two games of the season.
"I share your respect for Coach Brown, and certainly was really pleased that he was willing and able these last two games to help Scott out and be the full-time coach," Alberts said. "That man has a boundless amount of energy, and just a passion for Husker athletics. I love Coach Brown."
– Another fan asked if there could be changes to the football schedule in 2022, since Wisconsin is again listed as a road game and Purdue again as a home game. That's due to a scheduling quirk that remains from the change-up made during the 2020 COVID season.
But what shows now is not set in stone, Alberts said, noting there's a meeting in Indianapolis next week in which scheduling is one of the topics.
"I don't want to break anything. I would just say that there could be some changes. I recognize that we've been to Madison multiple times, so there might be some alterations to our schedule going forward."
– And another fan said he's not a big fan of Nebraska basketball's gray uniforms, liking the traditional color set on the Big Red.
It did lead to an interesting thought from Alberts.
"This is an area where I think we need to do a better job, and something I'm really passionate about. I think brand management is really important. That red 'N,' a lot of people worked a really long time to build that brand. And by the way, it's a very strong brand according to most any metrics nationally. But I think we've kind of gotten a little lethargic as well with how we've applied our brand."
Alberts said he is working with coaches and Adidas on it, and understands athletes like change-up in uniforms. However, he said you need to centralize your brand look, and Adidas wants that too. "The reality is we can't have nine different athletic departments and nine different logos and looks."
– Balloons.
Apparently a lot of questions came in about the red balloons released after the first score. There's a student group that voted that it wanted the balloons discontinued.
Alberts didn't have an update on the future of balloons at the games. "I do know there's a lot of strong feelings on both sides. I certainly understand it's been a long-standing tradition and frankly it is really cool when those balloons a released. I also understand the impact on the environment. I also know it's been increasingly challenging for the university to find access to helium to actually have the balloons. So I'm not sure if the 'challenge' will take care of itself because of the scarcity of helium itself.
"But we have a lot of challenges within the department, and even our university. I'm not suggesting this is not an important one. It's not just one that the chancellor and I have had the chance to dive into."
– Alberts said the Huskers athletics department is working on a survey to help in getting feedback from fans about the stadium experience.
He's not sure yet when that will roll out, but said it's crucial that fans coming to Memorial Stadium have the most convenient experience they can. "What we're trying to do is create the best fan experience in college football ... We can't take for granted what those amenities look like, what the fan experience is like, and what the changing behavior patterns of fans look like. So we're trying to really think through not just today, tomorrow but in 20 years what does Memorial Stadium look like? What's the fan experience? What are the amenity levels?"
– While waiting for that feedback from fans, Alberts wanted to offer his gratitude.
"Our fans I think have been the most amazing fans in the world," Alberts said. "I'd really like to just pause and say, 'Thank you.' Let's be honest. This was a team going into the game against Cockeye that was 3-8, and had been a long losing streak, and yet look at the crowd that showed up for that game. The energy was incredible. We finished the season 3-9. Unacceptable. But yet our fans were there, and showed up every game to support our coaches and student-athletes.
"I don't know of any other place in the country, and I'm not just saying that because of the show, (but) tell me another place in the country where that's the case. ... We've got a lot of work to do. We're committed to doing that, and I know our coaches are committed to doing that even right now. We're determined to have the kind of product on the field that our fans are proud of."
