Nebraska & Matt Rhule Are Better Off Without the Disingenuous Sanctimony of Trev Alberts

Disingenuous Departure Statement Falls Far Short of the Truth

On Friday, in his first interview to explain why he left, Alberts told the Omaha World-Herald that “some of the challenges are reflective of where we are as a society as far as divisive things that are part of our everyday culture.”

Most observers believe Alberts is referring to the current political debate in Nebraska regarding the proposed elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs at the university. Those battles began shortly after current governor Jim Pillen took office in January 2023. Pillen carried over 59% of the vote on a platform of eliminating DEI. His agenda was no secret, nor is the fact that Nebraska is one of the most conservative states in the union. The Cornhusker State is deep red in more ways than just football.

As the debate heated up last August, Alberts was fully aware of it. Like Alberts, Pillen is a former Husker player. The governor’s mansion is within walking distance of the university and Memorial Stadium. Alberts knows the political culture of his state and the governor. There were no secrets. None.

The ultimate indictment regarding the deceitfulness of Alberts is that he signed an extension in November 2023 which raised his salary from $800,000 to $1.7 million with a bump to $2.1 million in 2026. The contract was to run through 2031. Alberts had no problem with “divisive things” that were taking place when he signed that agreement. None.

Trev Alberts is obfuscating with a shameless play-action fake as to his true reasons for betraying Nebraska. This is especially true when you consider that Texas outlawed DEI for its universities. What was that about “divisive things,” Trev? 

A Big Baby Who Takes His Ball and Goes Home When Not Getting His Way 

We’ve seen this act before from Trev Alberts. In 2002 Alberts became an in-studio analyst at ESPN for college football. He did solid work as an entertaining, bright, articulate commentator. But in 2005, Alberts was demoted and did not take it well. He was fired on September 6, 2005, for not reporting to work. Alberts said he did not want to “play second fiddle” to the new Gameday crew.

Before he was with ESPN, Alberts was an injury-riddled player for the Indianapolis Colts, who took him fifth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft. Alberts started only seven games in his career. After refusing to show up for rehab, Alberts and the Colts agreed to part ways in 1997.

Now comes his abandonment of the university he claims to love and his dream job when things got tough. If Alberts were truly committed to Nebraska and loved it, as he says, he would never have headed for the tall grass when he was the one respected administrative leader who remained. Instead, Trev Alberts showed his true character and what his priorities are.

Trev Alberts is a man on the make. He is all about Trev Alberts, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just admit it and end the façade and treacherous drivel. 

Trev Alberts Was Going to Leave Sooner Rather Than Later  

During his time at Nebraska, Alberts applied to become commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. That was less than two years after taking over his “dream job” at the university he “loved.” Alberts said in his introduction, “I don’t take this responsibility lightly.” Yet he quickly used Nebraska as a stepping stone to shop for bigger jobs elsewhere.

Alberts has been mentioned as a potential college football czar when the sport decides what it is to become and its governance model. Also, he is often touted as a candidate to be a corporate CEO.

Trev Alberts wowed Nebraska media with his smooth and polished press conferences. It was frequently said that he always knew exactly what to say and how to say it. Alberts came off as perfect. And that should have raised eyebrows.

As the saying goes, “He who smelt it dealt it.” That is Trev Alberts in a nutshell: a little too perfect, a little too slick, a viper with a smile, the innocent boy next door who really is not. Indeed, Eddie Haskell had nothing on Trev Alberts.

Trev Alberts was always not for long at Nebraska. It is better to get his inevitable departure out of the way finally. Alberts and Texas A&M are each other’s problems now.

Matt’s Rhule Increases - Nebraska Is Better Off Today Than It Was on Wednesday  

After the initial shock of Trev Alberts's departure, there was understandable consternation about the state of the football program, athletic department, and university. But as the dust has settled Husker nation sees Alberts for what he is.

As for head coach Matt Rhule, he has one of the largest buyouts in college football, estimated at $62 million. So not only is Rhule not going anywhere but his power has increased geometrically. Nebraska must cater to Rhule’s needs and preferences with whoever it hires as the new president and athletic director.

The Trev Alberts departure makes for an intriguing contrarian bet. Instead of what was first seen as a disaster, the new Nebraska landscape offers unlimited potential for fully committed leadership that will be required to pair perfectly with Matt Rhule. Rhule just became a Nebraska powerhouse entity. That is a net gain for everyone.

The Big Red Road ahead is undoubtedly a complex and difficult challenge, but one that can be managed successfully. With Matt Rhule’s influence and the necessity to appease the coach, Nebraska is better off than it was when the week started.