Matt Rhule, the former Temple University head coach, has been announced as the new head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in an effort to revitalize the struggling program. Rhule has a reputation for his ability to turn around struggling programs and lead them to success. However, the question remains whether he can replicate his success in Lincoln, Nebraska, and restore the Cornhuskers to their former glory.
As the new head coach, Rhule faces a tough challenge in rebuilding the foundation of the Nebraska program, which has struggled in recent years. The team has not won more than eight games in a season since 2016, and its fans have grown increasingly frustrated with the downward trend. Rhule's hiring was seen as a last-ditch effort by the university to salvage the program and restore its winning tradition.
Rhule's track record suggests that he may be up to the challenge. He previously turned around programs at Temple and Baylor University, transforming them into consistent winners. At Temple, he led the Owls to a 11-2 record in 2016, including a memorable win over Notre Dame. At Baylor, he navigated the team out of a scandal-filled time period and into the ranks of the nation's top teams, leading them to a 11-1 record in 2019.
Despite these successes, Rhule has struggled to deliver the same level of performance in more competitive environments. At the Carolina Panthers of the NFL, he had a 7-9 record in 2020 before being fired. His biggest test in Lincoln will be to address the long-standing issues that have plagued the program, including poor quarterback play and inconsistent defense.
Key Factors Contributing to Rhule's Success at Previous Stops
Several key factors have contributed to Rhule's success at his previous stops. Some of these shared characteristics and strategies that he employed are:
Commitment to recruiting. Rhule has consistently sought talented players throughout his coaching career and displayed a willingness to take risks on high-risk, high-reward prospects. He did this at Temple, where they had the highest recruiting class in school history – 2nd in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
Strong on-field leadership – By trusting his players, exuding confidence and inspiring his coaches, he effectively demands an unrelenting work ethic from them.
Signing concise quarterback play as a cornerstone. He's strong when recruiting, identifying which quarterbacks fit the system, making it a backbone for the team's attractive prospect and earning defensive respect of their adversaries
He tells good stories and gives meaning to his game – every time.
