Looking back at the Bill Byrne era

Isn’t it strange how you don’t appreciate someone’s legacy until years later? Former Nebraska athletic director Bill Byrne, who had been at Texas A&M in the same capacity since 2002, retired on Tuesday, a year before his contract was due to expire, and acknowledged that he had little say about when the school opted to leave the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference.

Byrne became A&M’s AD in 2002 after being Nebraska’s AD from 1992-2002. Texas A&M won 45 Big 12 championships in 13 different sports during his tenure but his legacy will always be tied to the school’s move to the SEC, starting in July, even though Byrne said he was not involved in the final decision.

Byrne’s contract was to expire in August 2013. He will become a special adviser to A&M President R. Bowen Loftin, who is traveling overseas.

I remember the Byrne era at Nebraska pretty vividly because not only was I a student journalism major but worked as a production assistant at 1400 KLIN AM, which became the flagship radio station for various Nebraska sports. Byrne co-hosted a half-hour radio program once per week. I got to know him reasonably well during that time.  

As for Byrne’s legacy as an AD, he may not have been popular with some, but he was what was needed at the time to move the department and facilities forward. As beloved as Bob Devaney was, the department was in the red when Byrne took over and prosperous when he left. However, Byrne was not the best AD wherever he went which is why you get mixed reviews. Many people don’t like him, and yet many do but that’s not a sign of who was the best. That’s a sign of being average. However, considering that his tenure came between a legend like Devaney and a vilified figure like Steve Pederson. The latter epitomizes arrogant slime.

Byrne hired Dave Van Horne to take over what had become a floundering baseball program under John Sanders in the latter stages of his 19 year career. Van Horne, who has been the University of Arkansas baseball head coach, led the Huskers to a 214-94 overall record from 1998-2002.

Women’s basketball head coach Connie Yori has also been a quality hire. Under Yori, Nebraska has compiled a 190-126 mark but has won 18 or more games in seven of her 10 seasons. So, on the whole, Yori has definitely had more ups than downs.

Yori’s predecessor (Paul Sanderford), however, was not a rousing success considering the expectations he came with from Western Kentucky, where he was 365-120. At Nebraska, he went 88-69 but after a 23-10 debut in 1997-1998 the Huskers became mediocre.

Rightly or wrongly, however, Byrne is also remembered for what was becoming of Nebraska football when he left. Byrne resigned from Nebraska on the heels of the Huskers worst season football season since 1968. The Huskers had gone 7-6 and were headed to the Independence Bowl. How much blame Byrne deserves for that or for any of the seasons that followed is an open question. If Frank Solich was not the right hire to succeed Tom Osborne, it didn’t seem like Byrne had the clout to choose anyone else. Husker football was on top the world and the desire for continuity was very strong. So what should or could Byrne have done to change course? Byrne was in command when the Huskers decided to join the Big 12. Whether that was the right call is an open question.

Keep in mind, current athletic director Tom Osborne is still helping the athletic department recover from Pederson’s tenure. He ravaged almost every program with his horrific leadership style and alienating everyone. It’s not something that happens overnight.

Byrne was hit or miss, but better than Peterson for Nebraska. Well, actually, he was pretty good. He didn’t sabotage the program, but perhaps the football crowd wanted more emphasis on it but you have to have pride in not being a one trick pony. I don't have a lot of feeling either way, but I think he did a solid job.