College Football

Turnaround artist Matt Rhule should deliver results at Nebraska but history says winning will take time

Turnaround artist Matt Rhule should deliver results at Nebraska but history says winning will take time


Nebraska fans had high hopes for the Scott Frost era after the former championship-winning quarterback came to Lincoln fresh off a perfect season with UCF. But following a horrific 16-31 run in fewer than five seasons — the program’s worst stretch in 60 years — the Cornhuskers are starting from scratch once again. 

Instead of relying on another Tom Osborne devotee, the Cornhuskers went outside the family and identified former Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule as the future. Rhule flamed out of the NFL after barely two seasons, but his college résumé cannot be ignored. He arrives in the Big Ten as one of the biggest turnaround artists in college football

At Temple, Rhule took the Owls from 2-10 in his first season to 20-7 with an AAC title over his final two years. At Baylor, the program jumped from 1-11 to 11-3 in two seasons, including a No. 7 finish in the final College Football Playoff rankings in 2019. While Rhule left town early, the roster he built was central in the Bears’ Big 12 title run in 2021. 

Now, for the first time, Rhule comes to an advantaged program. While the past 20 years have been shaky, Nebraska ranks among the most historic programs in the sport. The program earned eight AP Top 10 finishes between 1993 and 2001 and won three national championships. College football has changed a lot since then, but Rhule is the perfect blend of tradition and modern thinking that could get the ‘Huskers back in the national conversation if things break right. 

Here’s what to watch as the Rhule era begins in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Offseason changes

Rhule historically leans on coaches he previously worked with to build his staff, and this one is no different. Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield coached under Rhule at both Temple and Baylor, and he comes to Lincoln after helping South Carolina win 15 games over the past two seasons. Secondary coach Evan Cooper and receivers coach Garret McGuire (son of Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire) both played for Rhule before later joining his staff in Carolina. Several other assistants have ties to either Temple or Baylor. 

There are a few exceptions. Defensive coordinator Tony White earned the job after transforming Syracuse into a top-25 defense. Offensive line coach and former letter winner Donovan Raiola was retained off Frost’s staff; it probably doesn’t hurt that he is the uncle of quarterback Dylan Raiola, the No. 1…

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