While I understand the COVID season was odd, I don’t think you can just erase it completely. Norvell started building his culture, team processes and structure, installed his systems, hired out his coaching staff, conducted talent assessment and recruiting that had continuity into 2021, conducted team practices, etc. All of that matters, plus he also coached games that mattered regardless of how odd that season was. Those games allowed him to continue to develop his players, see what was working and what wasn’t, as well as identify what roster/coaching holes he needed to fill. IMO getting to 10 wins in 2022 doesn't happen if he is hired in 2021.
That being said, Norvell did show progress from 2020 to 2021 getting to 5 wins and increasing their conference win total to 4 from 2. It is completely fair to expect and improvement in record in year 2 under Rhule, but I expect year 3 and beyond to be when hopefully the Huskers are competing for playoff spots and double digit wins year-in and year-out.