Matt Rhule is stepping off the sidelines and back into the trenches - literally.
After two seasons operating more like a CEO than a hands-on head coach, Rhule is shifting gears at Nebraska. The change isn’t just symbolic.
He’s now coaching the defensive tackles himself in practice, following the recent dismissal of position coach Terry Bradden. That’s not something you see every day from a Power Five head coach, especially one who’s been so focused on building infrastructure and recruiting systems since arriving in Lincoln.
But with Dylan Raiola heading for the transfer portal and a flurry of staff changes this month, Rhule is making it clear: he’s done delegating the heartbeat of the program.
On a recent episode of Locked On Nebraska, Mitch Sherman broke down the evolution: “Matt Rhule, if he was trying to point himself in the direction of being the CEO, very clearly he can’t help himself,” Sherman said. “He can’t help himself but to really get in the nitty-gritty and have his imprint on everything.”
That tracks with what we’ve seen. Rhule’s never been one to sit back and simply manage - he’s a coach who wants his fingerprints on the product.
Connor Happer added that while Rhule trusts his assistants, there’s a clear blueprint in his head for how he wants things done. And when that vision isn’t being executed to his standards, he’s not afraid to jump in.
Rhule himself acknowledged as much on Friday, admitting he spent too much time on administrative duties this year and not enough time actually coaching football. That’s going to change in 2026.
And it probably has to.
Quarterback Dylan Raiola - the former five-star recruit and centerpiece of Nebraska’s rebuild - plans to enter the transfer portal on January 2, according to multiple reports. He went 13-9 as a starter over two seasons, helping lead the Cornhuskers to back-to-back bowl appearances. His departure is a significant blow, no matter how you slice it.
Still, Rhule isn’t calling this a reset. When asked about the wave of offseason changes, he pushed back on that narrative, calling it more of a “tweak” than a rebuild.
But he didn’t hold back when reflecting on the state of the program he inherited. “If anyone ever just understood what we walked into, they’d be amazed at what we’ve done behind the scenes,” Rhule said.
“I had to do a lot of that stuff because someone else didn’t do it.”
It’s a pointed comment, and one that underscores the level of overhaul Nebraska has undergone since Rhule took over. The work hasn’t just been about wins and losses - it’s been about rewiring the foundation.
That foundation got another shake-up this month with the hiring of four new assistants: defensive coordinator Rob Aurich, edge coach Roy Manning, run game coordinator Lonnie Teasley, and offensive line coach Geep Wade. That’s a significant turnover, even for a coach who insists he’s just making adjustments.
Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen made it clear that Nebraska is in the market for a quarterback - and not just any quarterback. Whether it’s a pocket passer or a dual-threat weapon, the Cornhuskers are looking for the best available option in the portal. With Raiola gone, that search becomes even more urgent.
The good news? Nebraska has the resources to compete.
The program is ranked No. 10 on CNBC’s list of the most valuable athletic departments, valued at $1.06 billion. That kind of financial muscle gives Rhule and his staff a real shot at landing top-tier talent, both on the field and on the sidelines.
But resources alone don’t win games. Culture, coaching, and player development still matter - and that’s where Rhule is betting on himself. By getting back to hands-on coaching, starting with the defensive line, he’s signaling that the next phase of Nebraska football won’t be built from a distance.
Three years into the job, Rhule is rolling up his sleeves. Now we’ll see if that shift pays off where it matters most - on Saturdays.