In a press release provided to media outlets by the University of Nebraska, Chancellor Ronnie Green has named former Nebraska center Dave Rimington the interim athletic director.
Rimington will take the role vacated following the dismissal of Shawn Eichorst last week. His appointment is scheduled for up to 60 days, but he will likely serve until Green and President Hank Bounds appoint a new AD on a permanent basis.
Here is the university release:
Dave Rimington, a native of Omaha and a two-time Husker All-American, will return to Lincoln as the University of Nebraska's interim director of athletics, Chancellor Ronnie Green announced today.
Widely considered to be the greatest center in college football history, Rimington is president of the New York-based Boomer Esiason Foundation. He has agreed to take a leave of absence from the foundation to lead Nebraska Athletics on an interim basis. The appointment is scheduled for up to 60 days.
Rimington, who will begin the new role immediately, and Chancellor Green will hold a media availability from 1 to 1:20 p.m. today in West Memorial Stadium’s third-floor club area.
"I'm so pleased that we could count on Dave Rimington, who is a Husker through and through, to answer our call to lend his administrative expertise and unwavering support for Nebraska Athletics during this key time of transition," Green said. "I am confident that Dave will provide exceptional leadership as we move forward in our search for a new, permanent director of athletics."
The announcement follows the university's Sept. 21 decision to end Shawn Eichorst's employment as director of athletics.
"I am humbled and grateful to accept this responsibility," Rimington said. "I look forward to working with the coaches, staff and student-athletes at Nebraska, which is a truly special place that has had a profound impact on my life and the lives of countless others."
A four-year letter winner at Nebraska, Rimington is the only player to win the Outland Trophy in consecutive years – 1981 and 1982 – and is among the most decorated offensive linemen in college football history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of fame in 1997 and is one of just 17 Huskers to have his jersey retired.
The Omaha South graduate helped lead the Huskers to Big Eight titles in 1981 and 1982. He played seven years in the National Football League and joined the Boomer Esiason Foundation in 1993. In 2004, he was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame.
As president of the Boomer Esiason Foundation, Rimington has developed a variety of educational programs, scholarships and new-media initiatives that have directly benefited those affected by cystic fibrosis across the United States. Under Rimington's leadership, the foundation has taken an innovative and active approach to education, awareness and fundraising strategies through new media and technology.
The Rimington Trophy, established in 2000 and awarded in Lincoln each year to honor the most outstanding center in college football, was named in his honor. He and his wife, Lisa, and four children live in New York City.
Dave Rimington is one of those rare guys who has a prominent college football award, the Rimington Trophy, named after him. The Rimington Trophy is given out annually to the best center each year. Rimington was so good that in 1981 he was named the Big Eight Player of the Year by the UPI and Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year by the AP. It is the only time in Big Eight history that the award was given to a lineman.
While it is unlikely that this appointment will be made permanent, Rimington will likely serve to calm the waters at Nebraska for at least the duration of the search, keeping donors and fans alike from going full Cobby.