Nebraska interim AD Dennis Leblanc reacts to busy first week

“I was just relaxing when I got a text from (baseball coach) Will Bolt saying, ‘Hey is this true?’ and I didn’t have any idea what he was talking about,” Leblanc said.

Soon, the topic became very clear — athletic director Trev Alberts’ potential departure to Texas A&M. By the end of the day, Alberts had officially left for the SEC program, and Nebraska interim president Chris Kabourek had called to ask if Leblanc would be interested in filling Alberts’ role on an interim basis.

Leblanc, Nebraska’s executive associate athletic director for academics, quickly agreed to serve as interim athletic director.

“I said absolutely because I love this place,” Leblanc said on the Huskers Radio Network’s monthly athletic director show. “…It’s an honor and privilege to be asked to step in during this time.”

It’s been a busy few days for Leblanc since stepping into the new role on Thursday. Conversations with coaches, alumni and athletic department staffers all served as important opportunities for Leblanc to affirm that Nebraska will be fine moving forward under new leadership.

To the university’s head coaches, Leblanc said he told them to stay the course because they’re the experts in each sport. As for the athletic department, Leblanc said Alberts built a talented executive staff with experienced people in place throughout.

Reassuring alumni and donors of a stable future may have been another important conversation topic. Several months before Alberts left for Texas A&M, he launched a $450 million renovation project to Memorial Stadium which was approved by the Nebraska Board of the Regents.

With much of the project’s funding coming from private donors and athletic department funds, fundraising efforts will need to continue under new leadership.

“We’re going to be okay, and a lot of it is because of all those fans that are out there,” Leblanc said. “I have a chance to visit with almost every recruit that comes on this campus, and our fans are one of the most important selling points we have at Nebraska. Not only because they show up, but because of the beautiful facilities we have as far as them being generous.”

“I would just say, ‘Keep doing what you’re doing and know that there are many great people in place to make sure this is continuing to move in the right direction.’”

The change in athletic director comes at a busy time for Nebraska athletics. Mentioning the university’s two NCAA Tournament-bound basketball teams, plus athletes from the wrestling and swim and dive teams going to nationals, Leblanc said there’s considerable “momentum” currently present at Nebraska.

Leblanc also sees progress within the Nebraska football program, where he appreciates the energy and commitment that head coach Matt Rhule and his entire support staff continue to show.

“I think Nebraska is so fortunate to have him leading our football program,” Leblanc said of Rhule. “I’ve seen him build the culture of his team, and I’ve seen it from the inside out, (because) I get a chance to communicate with the players a lot, and they absolutely love coach Rhule… I am so fired up about Nebraska football and coach Rhule.”

A flood of positive messages and well-wishing reached Leblanc soon after his appointment became public. Nebraska’s interim athletic director said he appreciated them all — and his response to their support was the same.

“I am going to give every ounce of energy in this body to keep the Husker ship sailing in the right direction while I have this opportunity,” Leblanc said.