The 31st head coach of Nebraska football’s introduction at the Hawks Championship Center felt more like an engaging church service than an athletic press conference.
The son of a Nazarene minister, Matt Rhule channeled that ability to communicate Monday. He’s been known as a great speaker, but Husker Nation got to experience that talent for the first time.
Looking back a day later, the messaging remains powerful.
Rhule began his time at the microphone much like a minister might a sermon, going back in time to when he cried at 11 years old because Nebraska beat his beloved Penn State. Then, again, tears 11 years later as Nebraska won the national title while he and his Nittany Lion teammates finished undefeated but ranked No. 2.
And this fall, tears from his wife as they knew Lincoln was the right fit.
“This is the right fit for our family,” Rhule said.
Rhule sounded like he was calling on Bible verses when describing how he wants to develop the Nebraska football program back to an annual contender.
“I have learned that no matter how fertile the seed is, it has to be in great soil for the plant to grow.”
That type of religious imagery will play well with most Nebraskans, which, according to the Pew Research Center, are 75 percent Christian. On face value, it also sounds good to an agriculture state.
But for those wanting to stick to the sport, Rhule also spoke to their football hearts.
“I want to build a team that is tough,” Rhule said. “I want to build a team that is hard working. I told the team that today. The price of glory is paid in here at 6 a.m. The price of glory is paid on the recruiting trail.
“We are going to work harder, I cannot say than anyone else, but we are going to work harder than we have ever asked ourselves to work, because this is going to be hard.”
Rhule also wants his team to impact more than football field. That’s something that Huskers have been known for, from TeamMates Mentoring to helping the Team Jack Foundation take off.
“I want to bring players here, and I want to have a program that impacts the community,” Rhule said. “That when you see a Nebraska football player that you know wherever you are is better for them having been there. That they will always leave a place better than they found it. I want to bring players here who make the campus community better.”
Family is at the center of Rhule’s life. Developing young football players into great men is at the center of his coaching philosophy.
Whether you enjoyed feeling like you were hearing the Word on the future of Husker football or simply wanted to chug some Kool-Aid and run through a wall, the first moment of the Rhule Era was a massive win for Husker Nation.