Nebraska has signed WSU’s Bill Moos as its new Athletic Director. He agreed to a five-year contract with the Cornhuskers that entails a base annual salary of $1 million, plus incentives. Moos will begin his tenure at Nebraska on Oct. 23.

“To lead one of the most storied and successful athletic programs in the nation is a true honor,” Moos said. “Nebraska is a very special place, known far and wide for its phenomenal fans, for doing things the right way, for supporting its students, honoring its athletic legacy and maintaining excellence in athletics success across the board. I am proud to help build upon these Husker traditions.”

He replaces Shawn Eichorst, who was fired last month. Former Nebraska football player Dave Rimington has been serving as the school’s interim athletic director.

Moos headed WSU’s athletic department since 2010, when he was named to the position by former WSU President Elson S. Floyd. Moos had previously served as Oregon’s athletic director.

“Bill Moos’ decision to leave as the athletic director at Washington State for Nebraska is a direct result of growing friction between him/the WSU athletic department and university President Kirk Schulz,” ESPN Staff Writer and former Evergreen sports editor Kyle Bongura said in a series of tweets. “Moos twice asked for a contract extension and was rebuffed both times, according to multiple sources. One source: ‘Kirk Schulz has been awful for athletics. Since he arrived, it has been tense and awkward and difficult.’ ”

In an update to an original tweet, Stefanie Loh of the Seattle Times said sources were telling her Moos did ask for an extension twice, but did not get one. Originally, she tweeted sources were saying Moos did not ask for an extension.

Schulz said he would immediately begin a search for Moos’ replacement at WSU.
“Washington State University has a long and proud athletics tradition,” Schulz said according to a news release. “Cougar fans are among the most passionate and loyal in all of college sports. We will begin our search immediately to find an athletics director who will drive our program to even greater success both on the field of play and in the classroom.”

An interim athletics director will be selected early in the week, Schulz said.

“I want to thank Bill Moos for his years of service to Washington State University,” Schulz said. “He has accomplished much and helped bring our program the national prominence it deserves.”

Moos helped bring in Mike Leach for nearly $3 million per year and Ernie Kent for almost half that. A football operations facility and renovations to Martin Stadium placed a deficit of over $100 million on WSU’s athletic department, which it is still paying off.

In his seven years at WSU, Moos secured a 10-year, $35 million marketing rights agreement with IMG College.

And from 2010-16, Cougar student-athletes and coaches earned 805 academic all-conference honors, 130 all-conference selections, 45 All-America accolades and three Pac-12 coach-of-the-year honors. Moos also chose former Texas Tech Head Coach Mike Leach to lead Cougar football in 2011.

As the dean of Pac-12 Athletic Directors, Moos was a driving force behind the 12-year, $3 billion television contract with FOX and ESPN, according to a Nebraska news release.

Moos is a 2004 recipient of the prestigious WSU Alumni Achievement Award. He was raised in Eastern Washington, and went to high school in Olympia, where his father was in the governor’s cabinet. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history at WSU and was a three-year letter winner in football. He co-captained the Cougars’ 1972 team and was first-team All-Pac-8.

This story is being updated as more information comes in.