Matt Rhule Shuts Down “Reset” Talk After 7-5 Season: “That’s Ridiculous”
After a 7-5 finish that left some Husker fans frustrated - especially with the way the season ended - Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule isn’t entertaining any talk of a program “reset.” In fact, he called the idea flat-out “ridiculous.”
Let’s set the scene: Nebraska dropped its final two games by a combined score of 77-26. That’s a rough way to close out a season that, at one point, had the Huskers eyeing a potential bowl game and positive momentum heading into 2026.
But Rhule isn’t panicking. He’s not tearing things down.
He’s doubling down on the foundation he believes he’s building.
“I’m not resetting anything,” Rhule said Friday. “That’s ridiculous.”
And if you’ve followed Rhule’s coaching career, that mindset tracks. He’s always been about long-term vision over short-term noise.
He’s not here to blow things up every time adversity hits - he’s here to build something sustainable. And that takes time, patience, and a whole lot of belief in your process.
A Season of Progress - and Pain
Yes, 7-5 isn’t lighting the world on fire, and the back-to-back blowout losses to close the year stung. But Rhule sees the bigger picture.
This was his first full season at the helm, and Nebraska showed flashes of what it could become. The defense had stretches of physical, disciplined play.
The offense, while inconsistent, had moments where things clicked. The culture?
Still under construction, but the blueprint is there.
Rhule acknowledged the late-season struggles. He’s not sugarcoating the fact that the team didn’t finish the way it wanted to. But he’s not letting that overshadow the progress made over the course of the year.
“We didn’t finish the season the way we wanted to,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean we’re starting over.”
Raiola’s Departure and the Quarterback Picture
Of course, the conversation around Nebraska football right now isn’t just about the record. It’s also about the quarterback room - and more specifically, Dylan Raiola’s decision to enter the transfer portal.
The five-star quarterback was once seen as a potential program-changer. Now, he’s moving on before taking a snap in Lincoln.
Rhule didn’t dive deep into Raiola’s exit, but he made it clear he’s not losing sleep over it. His focus is on the players who are committed, who want to be at Nebraska, and who are ready to compete.
“We’re building this with the guys who are here,” he said. “That’s where our energy is.”
And that’s a message that resonates. Rhule isn’t chasing quick fixes.
He’s not going to let one player’s departure derail what he’s trying to build. Whether it’s through development, the transfer portal, or recruiting, Nebraska’s quarterback future will sort itself out - and Rhule believes the right pieces are already in the building.
Culture Over Chaos
Throughout his comments, Rhule returned to one central theme: culture. He’s trying to establish a standard - not just of play, but of preparation, accountability, and toughness.
That doesn’t happen overnight. And it definitely doesn’t happen if you’re constantly hitting the reset button.
“We’re not starting over,” he repeated. “We’re building.”
That’s the kind of message that might not satisfy every fan in the moment, especially after a two-game skid to end the year. But it’s the kind of message that builds programs - the kind that last.
Rhule’s not promising instant results. He’s promising a foundation.
And he’s asking for the time and trust to see it through.
What Comes Next
With the offseason now underway, attention turns to player development, the transfer portal, and recruiting. Rhule and his staff will be active on all fronts, looking to add talent while continuing to mold the identity of this team.
There are plenty of questions heading into 2026 - at quarterback, on the offensive line, and in the secondary. But for Rhule, the answer to those questions doesn’t involve panic. It involves patience, work, and belief in the process.
So, to those calling for a “reset,” Rhule’s message couldn’t be clearer: Not happening. Not now. Not when he believes the foundation is finally starting to take shape.
And if Nebraska stays the course? That patience just might pay off.