From The AD’s Office: Bill Moos, UNL

Longtime College athletics Administrator Bill Moos took over the reins of Husker Athletics in 2018 and immediately set upon the task of making Husker athletics competitive again for both Conference Titles and National Championships in some of the highest profile sports.

Since his arrival in Lincoln, he has hired Scott Frost as Football Coach, Fred Hoiberg as Men’s Basketball Coach and Will Bolt as Head Baseball Coach.

The former standout offensive lineman at Washington State, has directed athletic programs at Montana, his Alma Mater (WSU) and the University of Oregon.

Raised on a cattle and wheat ranch near Olympia, WA he has won the popularity of Husker fans across the USA and around the World.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB SINCE COVID-19?

The challenges have been many and are constantly changing.

For me the most difficult challenge has been the inability to interact with people.

I have missed the chances to have daily interactions with our student-athletes and staff.

The ability to sit down at the training table and have lunch with our young men and women and talk about their seasons.

And I miss the ability to interact with our great fans.

Whether it is at a game in one of our sold-out venues, or visiting cities and towns across our great state.

I cherish all of those opportunities and have missed seeing our great people.

THE BIG TEN SCHEDULE DOESN’T LEAVE A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY IF SCHOOLS LOSE GAMES—-HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT A MAJOR DISRUPTION IN NOVEMBER AND EARLY DECEMBER?

All we can do is continue to be vigilant and cautious in everything we do here at Nebraska to maintain our ability to play games.

If nothing else, this pandemic and this virus should have taught us all to control what you can control.

That is how we are operating at Nebraska and that is how we will continue to operate as we head into the late fall and winter months.

NOW AT NEBRASKA FOR THREE YEARS, WHAT ARE THE MAJOR GOALS YOU’VE REACHED FOR THE DEPARTMENT?

I am confident we have positioned Nebraska for success in the years to come.

The wins and losses aren’t quite where we want them yet, but I know we are about to turn a corner in a lot of our programs.

I have been fortunate to hire nine head coaches since I have been at Nebraska and those coaches, and all of our long-time coaches, are building programs with a strong foundation that are positioned for long-term success.

I would also add that we have made strides in the area of facilities. We have upgraded our facilities in several sports and are prepared to build the finest football training facility in the country. That project has been delayed by the pandemic, but it will be ready to roll next year and when it is complete it will be a difference-maker for our program.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES NEBRASKA FOOTBALL AND MEN’S BASKETBALL FACE IN CONSISTENTLY COMPETING FOR A BIG TEN TITLE?

We have the resources in place to compete for conference championships in all of our sports.

The biggest challenge is pretty simple.

We play in the most competitive conference in the country with a lot of great programs.  Winning isn’t easy.

That being said we are poised to start competing with the top programs in the Big Ten.

NOT MANY FANS REMEMBER THAT IT WAS YOU AS A.D. AT OREGON WHO brought PHIL KNIGHT into the fold with the Ducks. TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT PHIL MOST PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW?

Phil is a brilliant visionary who is extremely innovative and fiercely competitive.

One would never guess that he is somewhat shy and reserved.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF THE GAME OF FOOTBALL? AND AS A FORMER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN HOW DO YOU WATCH A GAME?

I do often focus in on line play when watching as it will most often determine the game’s outcome.

WHO’S THE TOUGHEST PLAYER YOU FACED ON THE FIELD?

Jeff Winans (USC), Dave Tipton (Stanford), Dave Butz (Purdue).

(Note: played against Dave Butz in the East/West Shrine All Star Game)

TALK ABOUT WHY YOU AND THE NEBRASKA ATHLETIC DEPT HAVE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF THE NEBRASKA GREATS FOUNDATION?

The Mission of the Nebraska Greats Foundation fits so well with everything I believe in, what our department believes in and how Nebraskans live their lives.

This is an organization that prioritizes Huskers looking out for Huskers who may be in need.

It is no different than how neighbors help neighbors in our state.

THERE HAVE TO BE FORMER HUSKERS WHO FACE MEDICAL AND FINANCIAL CHALLENGES….WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE RELUCTANT TO ASK FOR HELP?

Particularly in the challenging times we are currently facing, I am sure there are many in our Husker family who could use assistance.

I would simply tell them if you are hurting—medically, financially, emotionally, whatever the issue—turn to your Husker family.

You made life-long bonds with teammates when you were here at Nebraska and those teammates are eager to help.

Once a Husker, always a Husker!