Penn State made waves in the college football world on Sunday by firing head coach James Franklin. With Matt Rhule’s ties to the program, the sudden job opening was a topic of conversation at Rhule’s Monday press conference for Nebraska football.
Rhule spoke on his friendship with Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft and his love for his alma mater, but he also reaffirmed his desire to continue building the program in Lincoln.
“I came here for two reasons,” Rhule said Monday afternoon. “I love the community here and wanted to live here. I love it here, and I wanted to rebuild Nebraska football …
“I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come. Maybe it’s been a while here, but this is what happens when you win … I absolutely love it here, and I want us to continue to take the steps needed for us to turn this thing into a beast.”
The Huskers beat Maryland 34-31 on Saturday, passing their first true road test in 2025 and earning a No. 25 ranking in the AP Top 25 for the first time since last year.
Writers and fans across the country immediately connected Rhule’s name to the opening because of his success at multiple stops and connection to the Nittany Lions. The head coach spoke on the effect the rumors have had on the team.
“I think we can be a perennial, top of the county, one of the best teams in the country,” Rhule said. “I told our team this is part of winning. If you’re a good player, everyone should be hitting you up to go in the portal. Do you think people are calling Jacory Barney right now and saying, ‘Hey, why don’t you come here, and play for us?’ Hell yeah they are. I love my players, and I love the fans. I love all of this; this is a great place.”
Rhule said he understands why fans are curious about his potential leaving but wants them to know one thing.
“I’m trying to be as respectful as possible and answer it, then get it over with,” Rhule said. “I’m here. I have two little girls, I have a wife; I’m worried about have my daughters found a volleyball club to play for? I love it here, it’s awesome.”
For now, Rhule is focused on the task at hand, which is Nebraska’s upcoming game against Minnesota. He said that he gave the team the choice to have Sunday off, but they decided they’d rather practice.
“The captains asked, we’re going to do some work tonight, so we met on Sunday,” Rhule said. “They said it was the best lift of the year, best movement of the year. The meetings were great; the guys had had a ton of juice. I think they’re starting to figure out, A) they’re a good team, B) what we do works, and C) they understand, ‘hey we’ve got to continue to improve, because there’s some things we’re not doing right.’”
Rhule’s first game as Nebraska’s head coach came against Minnesota. Now, the Huskers are returning to Minneapolis for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff on Friday. Rhule spoke highly of the Golden Gophers’ defense and freshman quarterback, Drake Lindsey.
“They have three defensive touchdowns this year,” Rhule said. “They’re one of the least penalized teams in the country. You look at the things they do well, they win the turnover battle, they don’t give up explosive plays, their quarterback’s an elite player. So for us, it’s like, ‘Hey, if we go out there and we’re minus-three (in turnovers), then we are who we were two, three years ago, and we shouldn’t be that. We’re better, so we should just not give the game away, and make it be a competitive game and try and win the close games.”
Rhule said the fans have made a difference for both the team and him throughout his time in Lincoln thus far.
“There’s no place like Nebraska,” Rhule said. “It’s unlike any other. My family sits in the stands, my two daughters sit in the stands, and they can’t do that everywhere, but we can do that in Nebraska, because the people here, are the best people in the world.”
