Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule expressed disappointment at James Franklin’s firing as Penn State coach and deflected talk of moving into that job Monday in his regularly scheduled game week news conference at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln. Rhule, a Penn State 1997 graduate, is frequently mentioned along with Pittsburgh native and Indiana coach Curt Cignetti as the leading candidates to fill for Franklin, who was dismissed Sunday after losing three straight games, including Saturday against Northwestern. Further fueling the speculation around Rhule is that PSU athletic director Pat Kraft was Temple athletic director during Rhule’s successful football coaching tenure.
“I love Penn State,” Rhule said. “I met my wife there. I’ve been a fan since I was born. Had a Penn State shirt when I was born. I love Pat Kraft (Penn State’s athletic director). I’m really sad to see Coach Franklin go. The program was in peril. People remember the historic sanctions, you could transfer out, do what, and Bill O’Brien comes in and stabilizes it for two years. James Franklin takes over a program in disarray. He brings in stability, excellence.”
Rhule reiterated his focus on this year’s team and his optimism in the direction of the Nebraska football program.
“Troy (Dannen) and I are in an unbelievable relationship,” Rhule said. Troy and I are in constant, constant, constant communication about this program and where we’re headed. I came her for two reasons: I love the community here and I want to live here. I love it here. And I wanted to rebuild Nebraska Football. Troy and I understand the steps you have to take to make us Big Ten champions and national champions. This place is elite. I want to be a great father. I want to be a great college football coach. I’m not going to talk about job openings when they come.”
No Nebraska coach has left NU for another college head coaching job since Pete Elliott left to take the Cal head coaching job after one season as Huskers’ head coach in 1956. Rhule mentioned that he was much more used to suitors coming after coaches than Husker fans are to their coaches being courted.
“Maybe it’s been a while here, but this is what happens when you win,” Rhule said. “I’ve dealt with it when we won at Temple and I dealt with it all the time at Baylor. I’m not going to talk those things ever. I’m not going about my contract here. I absolutely love it here. I just want us to continue to take the steps needed for us to turn this thing into a beast.”
Rhule also reiterated his desire Nebraska to continue to expand its player acquisition funding through NIL money so the Huskers can continue to build the best roster. Nebraska faces Minnesota Friday night in Minneapolis. Pregame coverage begins at 3 p.m, with kickoff at 7 p.m. on KLIN.