Report: Washington AD Troy Dannen heading to Nebraska

Troy Dannen's stay at Washington was brief.

Dannen, who took over as the athletic director in Seattle on Oct. 9, is finalizing a six-year deal to take the same role at Nebraska, ESPN reported Wednesday.

He would replace Trev Alberts, a Nebraska alum hired last week as athletic director at Texas A&M.

Dannen ran the athletic department at Tulane for eight years before taking the job with the Huskies.

"I am so honored to have the opportunity to serve the University of Washington, our students, coaches, staff, faculty and incredible fans," Dannen said in a news release issued in October. "Throughout this process, the passion, love and spirit of the UW was evident in every conversation, as was the alignment necessary for comprehensive success.

"We will compete for championships, and we will provide an unmatched experience for our student-athletes. The future has never been brighter for Husky Athletics, and I am humbled to steward the next chapter in our storied history."

At Washington, he hired Jedd Fisch to replace Kalen DeBoer as football coach and gained some familiarity with the Big Ten as the Huskies prepare to transition to their new conference in the fall. He also fired basketball coach Mike Hopkins. Washington's next athletic director will be the program's third since August 2023.

Dannen is from traditional Big Ten country, and ESPN reported he and his wife wanted to return to their roots. A graduate of Northern Iowa, he was the athletic director at his alma mater for seven years before going to Tulane.

—Field Level Media