Nebraska Coach Search - 2025 version

[Hilltop]

Odd feeling kind of woven through this discussion.. it's got interesting elements, and at its core is whether or not we like/love Matt Rhule and just how much, and how badly do we want him to stay here.

Thinking back to similar discussions about previous coaches here. Scott Frost's was (finally) about, "when is that freak going to leave?" to paraphrase grossly. With each previous one the talk was mostly about their records here and how we need a better HC. Regarding Coach Rhule there seems to be a sort of non plus meme, as in, if he goes he goes and we wish him well, but heck he seems to be doing okay here.. but it's his 3rd year and his history shows him leaving about now or so.. etc.

Do we need a poll? How badly do you want him to say here? And for how long? Is he betraying us if he leaves? Are we so used to getting new coaches every few years that we don't care very much anymore? What's the truth about all this among Husker fans?

If he goes, we can't blame him or be mad. Coaches get very few chances at their dream job.

If he stays, I think we should all be happy because that means he is staying because him and his family truly love it here and he thinks he can win a championship at Nebraska.

No reason to get bent out of shape either way imo.

I'm just excited to see how far he can take us this year.

 

[lo country]

Trae Taylor has been putting out that he’s still coming to NU and for folks to tune out the noise. Unsure how true that is. Another site stated that he’s all N on Rhule. Guessing he’d follow Rhule if he ends up at PSU…

Cig getting PAID helps IMHO. Dudes gotten 2 pay raises/extensions in less than a year. Indy isn’t playing. Rhule said the next step was $30-40 million for roster building and continuity. If NU won’t commit to that, he’s gone. Why stay with no “support”.

I was a Chadwell fan, but he’s struggled a bit this year. Still like his offense though.

I like Matt Entz-Fresno St (former NDSU HC)
Tim Polasek NDSU
Both have multiple stops. Have won NC’s and their teams are hard nosed, disciplined teams.

Would a guy like Brent Key come here? Solid background. Beat some ranked teams. Definitely a “more with less guy”.

I’ve been hard on Rhule at times, but hoping he stays. Haven’t seen his ability to coach anywhere past year 3. NU be a great place to show what he can do once his “rebuild” is done.

 

[gorp512]

Get Brian Hartline now before Clemson does next year.

 

[The Dude]

Odd feeling kind of woven through this discussion.. it's got interesting elements, and at its core is whether or not we like/love Matt Rhule and just how much, and how badly do we want him to stay here.

Thinking back to similar discussions about previous coaches here. Scott Frost's was (finally) about, "when is that freak going to leave?" to paraphrase grossly. With each previous one the talk was mostly about their records here and how we need a better HC. Regarding Coach Rhule there seems to be a sort of non plus meme, as in, if he goes he goes and we wish him well, but heck he seems to be doing okay here.. but it's his 3rd year and his history shows him leaving about now or so.. etc.

Do we need a poll? How badly do you want him to say here? And for how long? Is he betraying us if he leaves? Are we so used to getting new coaches every few years that we don't care very much anymore? What's the truth about all this among Husker fans?

I'd like to see a Matt Rhule Year 5(tm) at Nebraska, but I don't think it would be betrayal for him to take his dream job.

 

[Hagg]

I'd like to see a Matt Rhule Year 5(tm) at Nebraska, but I don't think it would be betrayal for him to take his dream job.

I think we need a 7 year coaching staff to be where we say we deserve to be. If this guy signed on to us with some dream job seeming out of reach but in the back of his head then that pretty much characterizes Nebraska as lesser in his mind. I don’t like that at all and consider Nebraska as a coach’s dream job in any sport. I’m getting riled up as I think about all this and it’s too early for a stiff shot of Tennessee sour mash.

 

[lo country]

I think we need a 7 year coaching staff to be where we say we deserve to be. If this guy signed on to us with some dream job seeming out of reach but in the back of his head then that pretty much characterizes Nebraska as lesser in his mind. I don’t like that at all and consider Nebraska as a coach’s dream job in any sport. I’m getting riled up as I think about all this and it’s too early for a stiff shot of Tennessee sour mash.

I’m with you. I’d consider it a betrayal. You took the contract. Honor the terms. We have wandered in the desert for too long with this coaching carousel. I think Riley needed to be gone (never hired). I think Frost lasted 2 years too many. Rhule is making changes. In the staff, in the recruiting, the players, the mentality, psychology, physicality etc….If he can get us to “X” wins this year to show his “year 3 rebuild success” I have no doubt NU will be and stay back if he stays. Dude doesn’t bring teams from the brink of extinction to double digit wins and then cans that recipe in years 4 and on…. We’ve been too long with all of the above changing. Hes fixed it. He’s got kids coming in. Has coaches that get it (some better than others) but is building in spite of the instant gratification era. He’s addressing that by throwing out the money to build and just as important, keep a winning roster. Some dudes on this team could leave if we don’t pay….They leave, back to rebuild.

 

[Slow yer Roll]

Do we need a poll? YES

How badly do you want him to say here? IM INDIFFERENT

And for how long? I SAID: IM INDIFFERENT

Is he betraying us if he leaves? NO

Are we so used to getting new coaches every few years that we don't care very much anymore? I HAVE FOOTBALL MALPRACTICE FATIQUE

What's the truth about all this among Husker fans? THERES AN EROSION OF THE "UNSHAKABLE" HUSKER SUPPORT.

 

[presidentjlh]

So anyways, coaching search because Rhule sucks and will get canned next year if not this one.

 

[Thorrulz]

After the Minnesota game, Rhule can take his act to PSU as quickly as he can get his bags packed

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

After the Minnesota game, Rhule can take his act to PSU as quickly as he can get his bags packed

It's honestly very likely Rhule is on a hot seat by the end of the 2026 season anyway. The schedule gets significantly more difficult, and without rapid improvement of the line of scrimmage, Nebraska is very likely to have a losing season next year.

PSU would be paying Nebraska $5M to take away a problem we're likely to be paying a large buyout to in order to leave in a season or two anyway.

 

[TGHusker]

Trae Taylor has been putting out that he’s still coming to NU and for folks to tune out the noise. Unsure how true that is. Another site stated that he’s all N on Rhule. Guessing he’d follow Rhule if he ends up at PSU…

Cig getting PAID helps IMHO. Dudes gotten 2 pay raises/extensions in less than a year. Indy isn’t playing. Rhule said the next step was $30-40 million for roster building and continuity. If NU won’t commit to that, he’s gone. Why stay with no “support”.

I was a Chadwell fan, but he’s struggled a bit this year. Still like his offense though.

I like Matt Entz-Fresno St (former NDSU HC)
Tim Polasek NDSU
Both have multiple stops. Have won NC’s and their teams are hard nosed, disciplined teams.

Would a guy like Brent Key come here? Solid background. Beat some ranked teams. Definitely a “more with less guy”.

I’ve been hard on Rhule at times, but hoping he stays. Haven’t seen his ability to coach anywhere past year 3. NU be a great place to show what he can do once his “rebuild” is done.

I hope TT stays committed along with the others. But after last night I wouldn’t blame them if they bailed

 

[lo country]

I hope TT stays committed along with the others. But after last night I wouldn’t blame them if they bailed

You know I like their TJ and Trae's style of play better Watching Saban on game talking about BYU, the GOAT gets it. He says they are built like an old school football team. Mobile QB, they run 60%, throw back style. AND teams today are not built to go against that......Embrace who we were. Quit running from it. Run back to it.

 

[chamrocck]

Rhule is not going anywhere. Let’s see if he can continue to build the program. Job 1, fix the OL. Satterfied Donnie and just move forward. What if we pull the Penn State OL coach, he seems solid and puts guys in the NFL.

 

[presidentjlh]

Rhule is not going anywhere. Let’s see if he can continue to build the program. Job 1, fix the OL. Satterfied Donnie and just move forward. What if we pull the Penn State OL coach, he seems solid and puts guys in the NFL.

If he fires Raiola, sure, I’ll give him a shot. But it’s looking very grim.

This is not the 80s or 90s. You either win immediately or it won’t change. That’s how it goes now. That’s just the reality of it.

 

[lo country]

Rhule is not going anywhere. Let’s see if he can continue to build the program. Job 1, fix the OL. Satterfied Donnie and just move forward. What if we pull the Penn State OL coach, he seems solid and puts guys in the NFL.

Satt and Donnie would be gone. Satt, what does he do? And what has Donnie done? I'd also look at Dvoracek at LB. Year 3 and are they any better? Guys going to the league? (Bullock did make it). Better than average play is required of them in a 3-3-5.