Nebraska’s football program is embarking on its second season under the leadership of Matt Rhule. With Dylan Raiola as quarterback, the Cornhuskers have high expectations for the upcoming 2024 season.
Rhule’s stint in the NFL didn’t unfold as he had envisioned, prompting his return to collegiate coaching, a move that he feels is fitting. While conversing with Joel Klatt, Rhule noted that his experiences in the NFL have equipped him well for a position like the one at Nebraska.
“I gained valuable insights. Without that experience, I wouldn’t be able to lead Nebraska. Each decision carries significant weight at Nebraska… I now have a distinctly different connection with our players… I’ve earned National Coach of the Year honors… and I’ve been subject to ridicule on SportsCenter… I’ve also faced the scrutiny of 50,000 to 70,000 Panthers fans in the stadium calling for my dismissal. What I’ve gleaned from all of this is that I want to prioritize my players.”
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Rhule’s coaching journey commenced at Temple before he transitioned to Baylor and subsequently assumed the role with the Carolina Panthers. Prior to his NFL endeavor, Rhule amassed a 47-43 record, which featured four Bowl Game appearances.
However, his tenure with the Panthers did not unfold favorably. He posted a mere 11-27 record before being relieved of his duties midway through the 2022 season. Nevertheless, his transition to Nebraska has been somewhat smoother due in part to his NFL experience. Given Nebraska’s longstanding status as a college football powerhouse, the expectations remain substantial each year, especially following Rhule’s acquisition of an eight-year contract valued at $74 million.
Matt Rhule opens up on what he learned from the NFL
Matt Rhule faced a challenging stint in Carolina, leading to a swift loss of support from both fans and the front office. However, Rhule highlighted his key takeaways and aspirations as he assumed the head coaching role in Lincoln.
“I returned to college football because I recognized the importance of caring mentors for young individuals… Being back in college now is all about forging genuine human connections… I’ve gained numerous insights during my time at Carolina, but above all, it’s about fostering strong relationships with the players, guiding them through both triumphs and hardships, and disregarding external judgments… I’m immensely grateful for those experiences.”
Now, Rhule has the chance to reinvent himself following a tumultuous stint with the Panthers. His arrival at Nebraska followed the dismissal of Scott Frost, and Rhule’s first season resulted in a 5-7 record. However, the outlook for 2024 appears promising with notable additions to the roster, particularly five-star QB transfer Dylan Raioloa from Georgia.
Nebraska kicks off the 2024 season with three consecutive home games against UTEP, Colorado, and Northern Iowa before delving into Big Ten Conference competition against formidable opponents such as Ohio State, Wisconsin, UCLA, USC, and Iowa. After securing only five wins in his inaugural season, Matt Rhule realizes the need for improvement this time around.
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