A remarkable number of high-profile coaching changes have marked this college football season. There have also been a few bright sparks of hope. One such spark is Matt Rhule and his Nebraska team. He has transformed the Nebraska program, claiming its place among the elite. And now, he is being rewarded for his hard work with a contract extension that squashes any talks of him moving to Penn State, his alma mater, to replace James Franklin.

While the corridors of college football echoed with whispers of Rhule going to Penn State, he was already busy in talks with Nebraska over lengthening his stay. Meanwhile, Matt Rhule revealed a few more details about this entire incident as he appeared on the Pat McAfee show. It became very clear as to why he pledged his allegiance to Nebraska from the short clip of the show posted by McAfee on his Twitter handle.

The tweet read, “CONGRATS ON THE NEW DEAL. “We love it here in Nebraska, and this is our home… I love these players and I love this place.” As it’s evident, Matt Rhule expressed his love for the program and the players on the show.

As he said, “I think two weeks ago, we talked about it. And you know, I told you guys how much we love it here. And to me, there are lots of great jobs, but very rarely in this business do you find a home. We felt like Nebraska’s our home. This program’s our home. I love these players. I love this place. A.D. Troy Dannen has been amazing to me. Our president, Dr. Gold. And I mean, just the alignment.”

As AD Troy Dannen‘s public statement further reinforced institutional confidence, it stated, “Coach Rhule has demonstrated that he is the right leader at the right moment for Nebraska Football.” This news would be welcome to Nebraska fans, while disheartening for Penn State’s faithful.

Players like Dylan Raiola, Emmett Johnson, and Javin Wright, to name a few, helped the team progress as the foundations are in place. Rhule continued, “We got amazing alignment, and we’re building. And so I think after about week three, you know, Troy started talking to me about it. And I just was like, hey, I just got to focus on football. But I appreciate it. They’re betting on the future, and we’re doubling down.” This is all while underscoring the fact that they were in negotiations way before Franklin received the axe.

While addressing the underlying question of why Nebraska, Rhule explained the genuine faith the administration has in him; however, Penn State would have been a step up for him and a relief for the Nittany Lions’ fan base. His decision to stay in Nebraska makes perfect sense, though.

After they saw their beloved alum transform average programs into winners, they would have hoped for a homecoming that would, in time, change their team’s fortunes. At the same time, restoring them to their glory years. But to their dismay, Matt Rhule has chosen the place “that feels like home.”

Matt Rhule would now like to refocus on Nebraska’s performance on the field. After three long years of hard work, it’s finally time for him to show what he has built. He would look to build on the promising start of 6-2 into a season where he gets a shot at national and conference honors. Let’s take a look at Nebraska’s mystical transformation under him.

Nebraska’s remarkable trajectory: From futility to contention

Matt Rhule’s tenure at Nebraska has stabilized the program’s orbit – unlike 3I Atlas – from a consistent underperformer into a genuine championship contender. Before Rhule arrived in 2023, Nebraska had endured six consecutive losing seasons. A dark period of dysfunctionality and decline that seemed never to end. In his first season (2023), Rhule guided the Cornhuskers to a 5-7 record, albeit a small step forward. However, in 2024, Rhule orchestrated a breakthrough, leading Nebraska to a 7-6 record that ended with the program’s first bowl game since 2016.

The 2025 season marks the culmination of Rhule’s systematic reconstruction. Currently at 6-2 overall (3-2 Big Ten), Nebraska sits positioned to break its losing streak against ranked opponents with a matchup against No. 23 USC on Saturday. The Cornhuskers have accomplished consecutive winning seasons for the first time in a long time. This is a turning point demonstrating that Rhule’s program-building philosophy translates into sustained improvement.

Athletic director Troy Dannen voiced the program’s perspective: “Coach Rhule has demonstrated that he is the right leader at the right moment for Nebraska Football. We are excited about him and his family being part of Lincoln for many years to come. Under Matt’s guidance, our program has made considerable strides, and at this point in its development, maintaining continuity and stability is essential.”

​ Let’s hope this marks the beginning of Nebraska’s resurgence to its former glory. Who won and won consistently.