Former Nebraska AD Bill Moos' Book Reveals Dysfunction, Missed Coaching Hires

Moos' memoir details his failed attempts to hire Chip Kelly and Dana Altman, as well as pressure from university leadership during his tenure.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In his new memoir 'Crab Creek Chronicles,' former Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos revealed a dysfunctional environment during his time leading the department from 2017 to 2021. Moos detailed his interest in hiring Chip Kelly as football coach and Dana Altman as men's basketball coach, but said he faced resistance from university leadership. Moos also wrote that he was ordered to undergo an evaluation for alcohol addiction in 2018. The revelations come as Nebraska looks to move past the struggles of the Scott Frost era under new coach Matt Rhule.

Why it matters

Moos' book sheds light on the internal power struggles and lack of aligned leadership that contributed to Nebraska's on-field struggles during the Frost era. The dysfunction highlighted by Moos raises questions about the university's ability to properly support and empower its athletic department, which is crucial for the Huskers to return to prominence under Rhule.

The details

According to Moos, he was interested in hiring Chip Kelly as Nebraska's football coach after the 2017 season, but his bosses in Lincoln were uninterested. Moos also wrote that he targeted Oregon's Dana Altman to take over the basketball program in 2019, but that was nixed by Jim Pillen, who was on the Board of Regents at the time. Moos also detailed being ordered by Nebraska leadership to undergo an evaluation for alcohol addiction in 2018.

  • Moos ran the Nebraska athletic department from October 2017 to June 2021.
  • Moos met with Chip Kelly in New Hampshire in 2017 about the football job, but was told his bosses were uninterested.
  • Moos was ordered to undergo an alcohol addiction evaluation in 2018.
  • Moos targeted Dana Altman to be Nebraska's basketball coach in 2019, but the idea was nixed by Jim Pillen.
  • Moos was paid $2.9 million in a settlement to leave Nebraska nearly five years ago.

The players

Bill Moos

The former athletic director at Nebraska, who ran the department from 2017 to 2021 before leaving the university.

Chip Kelly

The former college football coach who Moos was interested in hiring as Nebraska's head coach in 2017.

Dana Altman

The head men's basketball coach at Oregon, whom Moos targeted to take over Nebraska's program in 2019.

Jim Pillen

A former Nebraska football player who was on the university's Board of Regents from 2013 to 2022 and is now the governor of Nebraska.

Matt Rhule

The current head football coach at Nebraska, who is looking to turn the program around after the struggles of the Scott Frost era.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

Moos' book reveals the internal dysfunction and lack of aligned leadership that plagued Nebraska athletics during his tenure, contributing to the Huskers' on-field struggles. The revelations raise questions about the university's ability to properly support and empower its athletic department, which will be crucial for new coach Matt Rhule as he looks to turn the program around.