Nebraska on Thursday announced the firing of athletic director Shawn Eichorst, less than a week after he lobbed some criticism following the football team’s loss to Northern Illinois.
Eichorst was hired by Nebraska in late 2012 from Miami, and he was signed to a five-year contract. His current contract was set to run through June, 2019.
“While I am deeply disappointed in the decision today, I am grateful for the wonderful years that my family and I have spent at Nebraska,” Eichorst said in a statement. “I am proud of how our student-athletes, coaches and staff represented this great university and state, and I am confident that the future is bright for Nebraska Athletics.”
Eichorst notably fired former football coach Bo Pelini during the 2014 season. He replaced Pelini with former Oregon State coach Mike Riley, who went 6-7 in his first year and then 9-4 last season. The program is 1-2 this season following the loss to Northern Illinois, which came days after a one-year contract extension was announced for Riley.
After the game, Eichorst expressed support for Riley despite being angry and disappointed with the loss.
Eichorst was also in headlines three years ago when Pelini ripped him upon being fired.
