Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

When Nebraska Lost Alberts, it Made Immediate NIL Gains

Nebraska is better off without Trev Alberts – and the improvement in the 1890 NIL collective proves it.

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By Rock Westfall

First and foremost, former athletic director Trev Alberts got it right with the most important decision of his tenure. Matt Rhule is proving to be an astute hire as he begins his second year as the Nebraska head coach. But Rhule’s arrival revealed plenty of challenges that Alberts had not effectively addressed. The most important obstacle that Alberts never fully negotiated was the 1890 collective.

During his tenure as AD, Alberts kept a noticeable distance from 1890, much to the annoyance of fans and donors. Although Matt Rhule did not weigh in on the subject, his true feelings were revealed by his actions when Alberts departed for Texas A&M. Rhule and new athletic Troy Dannen blitzed the situation with a full embrace of 1890, knowing that it would be a necessary asset for the football program to compete successfully.

Internal Strife and Pettiness Were a Cause for Pause 

Known as the 1890 Initiative, the collective is run by former Nebraska wide receiver Matt Davison. Based on his “kick six” catch at the famous 1997 game at Missouri, Davison is a Husker legend. Davison has been a controversial figure to some, but nobody denies his effectiveness when it comes to the 1890 collective.

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Trev Alberts is a man with an agenda that is focused on Trev Alberts. A notorious climber, Alberts’s ultimate dream is to be the czar of college football someday. By taking the Texas A&M job in the SEC, he will be able to brag that he led two marquee brands in the two top conferences. Since the 1890 collective was not Alberts’s property and knowing that Davison would get credit for its success, Alberts stiff-armed the collective. After all, the collective would not enhance the Alberts brand and legend in his own mind.

There was plenty of shock and rage when Alberts announced his departure to Texas A&M out of the blue. Since then, Nebraska fans have taken a liking to Dannen, who is all about Nebraska instead of himself. As time has passed, Nebraska fans have concluded that Alberts was all about Number One and not of the CFP ranking variety.

1890 Collective a Key Part of 2024 Optimism and Excitement  

Matt Rhule zipped his lips while Alberts was his boss, but as soon as Dannen assumed the AD chair, the Big Red made large and impactful gains with a full partnership with 1890, that was finalized by July. Most impressive was that Dannen smoothly made it happen without a “look at me” agenda.

“Nebraska has always been an innovator in collegiate athletics, whether it is in strength and conditioning, nutrition, and athletics performance facilities, and NIL is the latest frontier,” Dannen said in a release. “This partnership with 1890 Nebraska will make it convenient for fans and donors to directly support NIL for our student-athletes and provide 1890 donors many of the same benefits and privileges that our Huskers Athletic Fund members receive for their support of Nebraska Athletics.”

As for 1890 CEO Carson Schott, his excitement was difficult to contain.

“We are excited to partner with the University of Nebraska as the official NIL collective of Nebraska athletics,” Schott said. “For the past couple of years, our ongoing work with the university has supported student-athletes and coaches, helping to recruit and retain top talent. This deepened commitment to a united front will enhance our efforts further and take our support to the next level.”

As I have frequently mentioned, no program in college football has won more off-season national championships than Nebraska. But this year, there is noticeable substance to the optimism about the season ahead. Ironically, one of the key reasons for the sunshine and blue skies is the partnership between Dannen and Rhule.

For a football program to effectively compete in the years ahead, it must have an unimpeachable NIL program. What Nebraska has now is frequently mentioned first in Big Ten conversations, which was not the case until Alberts’s departure.

The great irony is that Alberts, a favorite son and Husker All-American, was once seen as a savior and a perfect fit as AD. Instead, it is Dannen who is proving to be the right man at the right time.

Like Rhule, Dannen has fully embraced Nebraska’s culture and lifestyle. Through their deeds, the Big Red’s dynamic duo has demonstrated more love and appreciation for the football program, institution, and state than the ex-favorite son ever had.

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