Shawn Eichorst is set to depart from his role as athletic director at the University of Miami, where he has been at the helm for just 18 months. His new position will be with the University of Nebraska, where he has secured a five-year contract to succeed the iconic Tom Osborne and lead the Cornhuskers’ athletic program.
Eichorst joined the Miami Hurricanes in April 2011, transitioning from his previous role as chief operating officer for athletics at the University of Wisconsin. His move to Nebraska comes at a pivotal time for Miami, as the school is embroiled in a significant NCAA investigation. This scrutiny, coupled with Miami’s upcoming high-stakes football game against Notre Dame, makes Eichorst’s departure particularly notable. Former Maine athletic director Blake James will step in as the interim AD at Miami, filling the position Eichorst has held for less than two years.
Miami President Donna Shalala expressed her regret at Eichorst’s departure but extended her best wishes for his future at Nebraska. Eichorst’s new role will come with a substantial salary increase, starting at $973,000 annually. The financial terms of his previous position at Miami were not publicly disclosed due to the private nature of the institution.
At Nebraska, Eichorst will take over from the 75-year-old Osborne, who has announced his retirement effective January 1. Osborne, a legendary figure in college football with 255 wins and 13 conference titles, will remain with the university as athletics director emeritus until July 30. Eichorst will begin his tenure at Nebraska on October 9 as a special assistant to Chancellor Harvey Perlman, transitioning to the full AD role in January.
Eichorst’s departure from Miami is particularly challenging given the ongoing NCAA investigation into the university’s compliance practices. The investigation has overshadowed many of his achievements at Miami, including efforts to upgrade facilities and hire new coaching staff. The investigation’s origins trace back to allegations made by former booster Nevin Shapiro, who claimed to have provided impermissible benefits to athletes and recruits from 2002 onwards. With the NCAA expected to issue its notice of allegations to Miami later this year, Eichorst’s exit adds another layer of complexity to the university’s situation.
Despite the challenges, Eichorst remains optimistic about his new role at Nebraska. He expressed his eagerness to build on the storied tradition of the Cornhuskers, drawing inspiration from Osborne’s legacy. Chancellor Perlman praised Eichorst’s respect for Nebraska’s athletic heritage and his commitment to continuing the department’s success both on and off the field.
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