What did Big Ten coaches anonymously say about Nebraska’s Matt Rhule?
Athlon Sports recently interviewed Big Ten coaches to speak anonymously about others in the conference, and Nebraska’s Matt Rhule had some interesting things said about him.
The Cornhuskers head football coach was hired in 2023 and went 5-7 overall and 3-6 in conference play his first season. The Huskers ended the season on a four-game losing streak, taking the wind out of any sails of positivity despite it being better results than recent years. Five of the team’s losses came by one score, suggesting their record isn’t as bad as one may assume.
While some head coaches received less-than-ideal comments about them, Rhule’s opponents mostly provided praise, seeing the potential he’s bringing to the program.
Here’s a look at each quote.
Note: These scouting reports come directly from coaching staffs and do not necessarily reflect the views of Athlon’s editorial staff.
“They’re going to break through this year, it’s just a question of how big. They should definitely be bowling.”
Nebraska fans have been waiting for another bowl game berth since 2016 — the last time the program had a winning record — when they played Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.
This could be the year Big Red returns to success after nearly a decade of futile results.
The Huskers are ranked No. 53 in the nation and are projected to win at least six games this season. According to Pro Football Focus, they have a 65.2% chance of making a bowl game, putting their odds at a pretty decent shot.
Rhule had spent his time with Nebraska recruiting hard and building the foundations for future success. While the process will take time, the 2024 season could see further improvements take shape and perhaps a low-level bowl game to compete in.
“It’s all about the quarterback [true freshman Dylan Raiola]. They’ve tried to slow play it as much as possible, but he’s clearly their best option, the most talented, the guy who makes the system work.”
In what’s probably the biggest headline heading into the new season, five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola is getting closer to take over under center.
It’s probably Rhule’s biggest win since joining the program in recruiting the talented quarterback. Raiola committed to Nebraska late last year after decommitting from Georgia.
247Sports ranked Raiola as the sixth-best quarterback in the Big Ten after the spring game, showing his “it” factor as he threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
While Heinrich Haarberg could start the season at the position for experience, it’s only a matter of time before the top recruit takes over and shows fans what he brings to Nebraska football.
“[Matt Rhule] has done a great job reworking the offensive talent; they’re going to have some breakout wide receivers, and they have a really deep group of running backs.”
The 2023 Huskers averaged just 18 points per game, putting them as the 123rd highest-scoring offensive in college football. Not good.
Rhule’s team brought in wide receiver transfers Isaiah Neyor from Texas and Jahmal Banks from Wake Forest to help improve the position in 2024. The wide receiver room also has speedsters like Malachi Coleman, Jaylen Lloyd and Jacory Barney Jr.
The running back room has even more depth — like this anonymous coach pointed out — in Gabe Ervin Jr., Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Dante Dowdell, Kwinten Ives and Maurice Mazzccua.
Not to mention the future of the program brought in, mentioned in the previous quote.
This season should see improved results on offense all around, as long as the Cornhuskers don’t turn the ball over. They ranked dead last (No. 133) among all FBS schools in fumbles lost last season.
“[DC] Tony White is going to be a head coach soon, but getting him back for another year is just huge for them.”
Nebraska’s defense will likely be the strongest part of the team heading into 2024.
Tony White will enter his second season as Nebraska’s defensive coordinator this season. Last year, he guided the Blackshirt defense to its best statistical season since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011.
Previously spending time at Syracuse, Arizona State and UCLA, White’s defenses have ranked in the top 25 nationally in total defense each of the last three years. From a scoring standpoint, White’s defenses at Syracuse and Nebraska limited opponents to 20 or fewer points 19 times over the last three seasons, including nine times in 12 games in 2023.
White was a 2022 and 2023 nominee for the Broyles Award, presented annually to the nation’s top assistant coach. He has a demonstrated ability to develop players, as four Orange defenders earned freshman All-America honors in his three seasons. At Nebraska, eight Blackshirts were All-Big Ten selections in 2023.
While it’s only a matter of time until White takes a head coaching spot somewhere, he only makes the Huskers’ team better by sticking around.
“I thought the shift to the 3-3 worked out really well for them, and they’re starting to look like old, or legendary Nebraska, with the size and talent up front on defense.”
Rhule’s and White’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme was put in place last season and it put up results, as previously mentioned.
The head coach has described the scheme as “never the same front twice,” as players are switched out frequently on the defensive line.
The scheme was brought to Nebraska when Rhule arrived and White had been familiar with the coaching strategy dating back to the 1990’s at Oregon State.
If the defense continues to dominate going forward, maybe Nebraska can relive its glory days when the defensive side of the ball dominated on a week-to-week basis.
Oct 21, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule during the second quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium.
This could be the year Big Red returns to success after nearly a decade of futile results.
The Huskers are ranked No. 53 in the nation and are projected to win at least six games this season. According to Pro Football Focus, they have a 65.2% chance of making a bowl game, putting their odds at a pretty decent shot
While some head coaches received less-than-ideal comments about them, Rhule’s opponents mostly provided praise, seeing the potential he’s bringing to the program.
Here’s a look at each quote.
Note: These scouting reports come directly from coaching staffs and do not necessarily reflect the views of Athlon’s editorial staff.
“They’re going to break through this year, it’s just a question of how big. They should definitely be bowling.”
Nebraska fans have been waiting for another bowl game berth since 2016 — the last time the program had a winning record — when they played Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.Rhule had spent his time with Nebraska recruiting hard and building the foundations for future success. While the process will take time, the 2024 season could see further improvements take shape and perhaps a low-level bowl game to compete in.
“It’s all about the quarterback [true freshman Dylan Raiola]. They’ve tried to slow play it as much as possible, but he’s clearly their best option, the most talented, the guy who makes the system work.”
In what’s probably the biggest headline heading into the new season, five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola is getting closer to take over under center.
