Pederson asked to resign from NU athletic director post

Click here to watch videos of Harvey Perlman's press conference

During Nebraska's 45-14 loss against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday, Husker fans seated in South Stadium unfurled a large banner that read: "Surrender, Steve Pederson."

On Monday, Pederson's boss made the decision for him.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman announced he'd asked Pederson, Nebraska's athletic director, to step down Monday afternoon.

"I asked for his resignation, and I got it," Perlman said during a press conference. "I guess that means he was fired."

The decision begins a chapter of uncertainty in the history of an athletic program that has become a growing target for criticism from fans, athletic boosters and media outlets in recent months.

Discontent regarding the performance of the Nebraska football team and talk of dwindling morale within Athletic Department offices has increased significantly since the beginning of the football season, leading some fans and boosters to question the department's leadership.

Pederson leaves a legacy that includes the hiring of Nebraska Football Coach Bill Callahan, Men's Basketball Coach Doc Sadler and the spearheading of efforts to construct a $50 million addition to Memorial Stadium.

"Steve has done many positive things for Husker athletics during his tenure, but I think only new leadership can objectively assess the state of our program and make the decisions necessary to move forward," Perlman said in a statement released prior to his public remarks.

Perlman later said his decision was not based on the recent performance of the Nebraska football team, adding the final decision to request Pederson's resignation was made last Thursday, though the chancellor spoke with University of Nebraska President J.B. Milliken Saturday morning.

"You make the best decision you can with the information you have," he said in the news release.

Though he did not elaborate on the reasoning behind his decision, Perlman said he began hearing of concerns from department personnel this summer about Pederson's management style and relationships with donors, fans and former athletes.

The vulnerability of the football program had been so widely discussed in recent days that it may have encouraged people to approach Perlman with concerns they had about Pederson's leadership, the chancellor said during his conference.

"To that extent, football had an impact," Perlman said.

Pederson, who was selected to serve as athletic director in 2003, received a five-year extension on his contract at the end of July of this year.

The university will have to pay at least $2.2 million to buy out the remainder of the contract Pederson left behind, Perlman said.

Perlman extended the contract after reviewing Pederson's performance, but the chancellor said he didn't know of the most serious concerns.

"You know, it's really interesting that a person in my position ends up learning everything last," he said.

David Solheim, president of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, expressed concern about the costs that would be associated with Pederson's firing, saying breaking new contracts and making new ones can get expensive.

But some officials, including Solheim, agreed Perlman's decision to end Pederson's employment fell within his authority as chancellor.

University of Nebraska Regent Charles Wilson of Lincoln said that Perlman had not requested the input of the board, and that he did not have to because the Board of Regents is a governing body for the NU system, not an administrative one.

"It is the responsibility and the prerogative of the chancellor to make personnel decisions on his campus," Wilson said. "He's done that, and I support him."

Pederson met briefly with Perlman on Monday, leaving campus immediately afterward. He chose not to respond to reporters who gathered behind the Canfield Administration Building.

Pederson was home Monday evening, but did not come to the door to meet with Daily Nebraskan staff members.

A man who declined to be identified answered the door of the residence and said Pederson would eventually comment, but the time was not right.

"There will be an appropriate time," he said. "It's been a long day."

A large red Husker flag was mounted on the front of Pederson's home.

Perlman said no other changes in Athletic Department staff were being contemplated, and he will now initiate a process to identify an interim and permanent athletic director.

"You've got to take the time necessary to find the right person for the job," he said.

Despite multiple rumors, Perlman said he had not talked seriously with former NU football coach Tom Osborne about taking over the athletic director position, but said he notified Osborne about the firing of Pederson.

Osborne did not return calls or messages seeking comment on Monday.

Prior to the announcement, coaches and other Athletic Department officials seemed oblivious to conjecture about personnel decisions in the department.

Rumors began circulating on message boards and within newsrooms Sunday evening, some of which suggested a major overhaul of the Athletic Department's administration and football coaching staff was inevitable in the coming hours.

A Daily Nebraskan reporter asked Callahan about the potential for personnel changes as he left the Hawks Championship Facility late Sunday.

Flanked by a number of assistant coaches, Callahan said he had no knowledge of any decisions.

"I'm going home and going to bed, getting ready for the next game plan."

Andy Boyle, Jamie Klein, Kris Knowlton, Wade Larson and Chris Rosacker contributed to this report.