The Nebraska Love Story: Matt Rhule's Journey and the Penn State Speculation
In a heartfelt interview, Matt Rhule, the beloved coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, opened up about his passion for Nebraska and his football journey. But here's where it gets controversial: despite his love for the Cornhuskers, Rhule hasn't completely shut down the rumors about the Penn State job.
The speculation began when James Franklin was fired, leaving the Penn State position vacant. Rhule's name quickly rose to the top of the list due to his strong connections with the university. He played as a walk-on linebacker under Joe Paterno, met his wife at Penn State, and maintains a close friendship with athletic director Pat Kraft.
Rhule's career path has been an intriguing one. He started at Temple, coached at Baylor, and even ventured into the NFL with the Carolina Panthers before landing at Nebraska in 2022. His record at Nebraska is impressive, with a 17-14 win-loss ratio in three seasons, and the team is currently ranked 25th in the Associated Press poll.
"This place is elite, and I'm committed to being a great coach and a great father," Rhule said. "I'm not going to get into discussing job openings, but I will say that I love it here in Nebraska."
The 50-year-old coach is under contract until 2030, with a hefty $7.5 million salary for this year. If he were to leave before January 1st, it would cost him or his new employer $5 million.
Nebraska has seen a turnaround under Rhule's leadership, with a winning record in 2024 after seven seasons of struggle. "I absolutely adore Nebraska and its fans," Rhule emphasized. "I want to build a football dynasty here, a place where players across the country dream of coming."
And this is the part most people miss: despite his love for Nebraska, Rhule hasn't ruled out the Penn State opportunity. "I have a soft spot for Penn State, and I'm sad to see James Franklin go. I wish him all the best, but I'm truly happy here at Nebraska."
The Huskers will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday night. Will Rhule's focus remain solely on Nebraska, or will the Penn State rumors continue to swirl? What do you think, folks? Should Rhule stay put or explore new horizons? Let's discuss in the comments!
