Nebraska set to hire Rodney Bennett as chancellor: What it means for Cornhuskers’ athletics

LINCOLN, Neb. — The University of Nebraska is set to hire Rodney Bennett, former president of Southern Mississippi, as the chancellor of its flagship Lincoln campus, system president Ted Carter announced Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

Bennett, 56, will take part in a 30-day “vetting period,” required by state law, before his hire is made official. During that time, he will be featured in public forums and media sessions.
He would be the first Black chancellor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Bennett was the first Black president at Southern Miss. He’s a graduate of Middle Tennessee State and earned a doctorate from Tennessee State in educational administration.
Bennett served in the role at Southern Miss from 2013 until the expiration of his contract this year. He led the campus through recovery from a 2017 tornado that struck Hattiesburg and presided over a period of enrollment and academic growth.
In Lincoln, Bennett replaces Ronnie Green, Nebraska’s 20th chancellor who has served in the position since 2016. Green, 61, announced his retirement last year and will step down in June.

I am thrilled to announce Dr. Rodney Bennett as the priority candidate for the next chancellor of @UNLincoln.

Dr. Bennett is a gifted leader with a proven track record in growing research & student outcomes. He is the right person at the right time for our flagship university. pic.twitter.com/dfCoTcQ3g5

— Ted Carter (@UofNE_President) May 22, 2023

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

What this means for Nebraska athletics

Bennett, in this position, would supervise athletic director Trev Alberts and work in a position to assist in maintaining stability ahead of a critical time in Nebraska’s bid to stay financially strong. Nebraska is the only athletic department in the Big Ten to operate without debt.

It is set to open a $165 million football-complex upgrade this year and has begun plans to formulate a proposal to renovate Memorial Stadium — in what is likely to rate as the most expensive construction project ever for the school.

Bennett was appointed by Carter, who was key in the hiring of coach Matt Rhule after last football season. Alignment from Rhule, who signed an eight-year, $72 million contract, to Alberts, the new chancellor and Carter is essential for Nebraska to compete in this era of rising stakes in the Big Ten and around college sports.

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(Photo: Steven Branscombe / Getty)