Look What Preacher Rhule Has Done to This Board

[K Rod]

I still think back to the time before Ruhle was hired. I was 100% in favor of going after Chris Klieman. I said at the time that you throw everything in the world at him to get him to come to Lincoln. My reasoning was he is a nuts and bolts, pure football coach who has won at every level. A guy who knows how to assemble and organize a roster. A guy who can game plan each opponent and also demand sound fundamental play. A balanced offense with a tough O line. His staff put a lot of guys into the NFL. I got tons of pushback on my opinion. My thoughts were that with much better resources, he could do well in the NIL era we were about to enter. Better stadium, better fan base, more money, better facilities.

Fast forward to today and he retired due to "stress" and frustration of not being able to compete with schools with large NIL budgets. NU contacted him from what I was told, and he declined to interview at that time. He did not see the NIL freight train coming. Prior to last season I was impressed with his record vs top 20 teams. Upsets of Oklahoma, Texass, were common. I was impressed every time I watched them play. Very few ( like none ) 4 or 5 star recruits. Just a staff that developed talent and sound schemes on both sides of the ball. His staff was able to pick up undervalued talent like Chad Oakley from Columbus and turn him into a good TE. A roster with no holes in it. It was sad to see him retire. He was a great coach in my book and a guy we should have somehow hired. Honestly I do not think we would be sitting here at 19-19 record after 3 seasons, and I think we would have had some good wins against teams like USC, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Oregon etc.... I also think we would all be sitting here feeling different about 2026 and the roster we would have had. Players would have been developed and be ready to step in. Portal needs would probably been limited to a few D line or O line guys, maybe a WR or RB but not the wholesale shotgun approach of needing 15 portal guys. We could have loaded up on TOP NIL offers to the guys who were impact players. What he offered was exactly what NU has needed here since BO left. Many will disagree. The lets hire Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops guys will never agree with me, and that is ok I guess.

 

[Bigred2467]

I still think back to the time before Ruhle was hired. I was 100% in favor of going after Chris Klieman. I said at the time that you throw everything in the world at him to get him to come to Lincoln. My reasoning was he is a nuts and bolts, pure football coach who has won at every level. A guy who knows how to assemble and organize a roster. A guy who can game plan each opponent and also demand sound fundamental play. A balanced offense with a tough O line. His staff put a lot of guys into the NFL. I got tons of pushback on my opinion. My thoughts were that with much better resources, he could do well in the NIL era we were about to enter. Better stadium, better fan base, more money, better facilities.

Fast forward to today and he retired due to "stress" and frustration of not being able to compete with schools with large NIL budgets. NU contacted him from what I was told, and he declined to interview at that time. He did not see the NIL freight train coming. Prior to last season I was impressed with his record vs top 20 teams. Upsets of Oklahoma, Texass, were common. I was impressed every time I watched them play. Very few ( like none ) 4 or 5 star recruits. Just a staff that developed talent and sound schemes on both sides of the ball. His staff was able to pick up undervalued talent like Chad Oakley from Columbus and turn him into a good TE. A roster with no holes in it. It was sad to see him retire. He was a great coach in my book and a guy we should have somehow hired. Honestly I do not think we would be sitting here at 19-19 record after 3 seasons, and I think we would have had some good wins against teams like USC, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Oregon etc.... I also think we would all be sitting here feeling different about 2026 and the roster we would have had. Players would have been developed and be ready to step in. Portal needs would probably been limited to a few D line or O line guys, maybe a WR or RB but not the wholesale shotgun approach of needing 15 portal guys. We could have loaded up on TOP NIL offers to the guys who were impact players. What he offered was exactly what NU has needed here since BO left. Many will disagree. The lets hire Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops guys will never agree with me, and that is ok I guess.

Dabo Swiney might be available if/when Rhule is canned.

 

[Man Woman & Child]

I still think back to the time before Ruhle was hired. I was 100% in favor of going after Chris Klieman. I said at the time that you throw everything in the world at him to get him to come to Lincoln. My reasoning was he is a nuts and bolts, pure football coach who has won at every level. A guy who knows how to assemble and organize a roster. A guy who can game plan each opponent and also demand sound fundamental play. A balanced offense with a tough O line. His staff put a lot of guys into the NFL. I got tons of pushback on my opinion. My thoughts were that with much better resources, he could do well in the NIL era we were about to enter. Better stadium, better fan base, more money, better facilities.

Fast forward to today and he retired due to "stress" and frustration of not being able to compete with schools with large NIL budgets. NU contacted him from what I was told, and he declined to interview at that time. He did not see the NIL freight train coming. Prior to last season I was impressed with his record vs top 20 teams. Upsets of Oklahoma, Texass, were common. I was impressed every time I watched them play. Very few ( like none ) 4 or 5 star recruits. Just a staff that developed talent and sound schemes on both sides of the ball. His staff was able to pick up undervalued talent like Chad Oakley from Columbus and turn him into a good TE. A roster with no holes in it. It was sad to see him retire. He was a great coach in my book and a guy we should have somehow hired. Honestly I do not think we would be sitting here at 19-19 record after 3 seasons, and I think we would have had some good wins against teams like USC, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Oregon etc.... I also think we would all be sitting here feeling different about 2026 and the roster we would have had. Players would have been developed and be ready to step in. Portal needs would probably been limited to a few D line or O line guys, maybe a WR or RB but not the wholesale shotgun approach of needing 15 portal guys. We could have loaded up on TOP NIL offers to the guys who were impact players. What he offered was exactly what NU has needed here since BO left. Many will disagree. The lets hire Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops guys will never agree with me, and that is ok I guess.

So, let me get this straight. Chris Klieman, at 6-6, burned out because he couldn't handle the stress of KSU. And you somehow see that as an "I told ya so" moment in which we should have hired him?

 

[Wasker73]

This is why I think it's going to be a banner effing year for football.

Things are always the opposite of what the crowd thinks they are.

If a 10 win Colandrea gets this team into the playoffs.. the amount of buzz and hype will be astronomical.. and all that coming up in just 7-8 short months. Enjoy the peace while you can.

Nobody thinks it could happen, and that's why I think it will.

10 wins with Colandrea under center and Matt the Hat at the helm! If that happens I will sing nothing but praises. I absolutely do not think that is going to happen. Do I see a 3-0 start with all the diehard Rhule fans saying “I told you so”? The answer is yes but I believe it will get real (bad) in October and November.

 

[NikkiSixx]

10 wins with Colandrea under center and Matt the Hat at the helm! If that happens I will sing nothing but praises. I absolutely do not think that is going to happen. Do I see a 3-0 start with all the diehard Rhule fans saying “I told you so”? The answer is yes but I believe it will get real (bad) in October and November.

not a Rhule fan, but I just see it as pointless to target him repeatedly, as the fan base already knows who he is now, and we need better leadership from the AD and others.. I just like the odds going the other way, in spite of Matt's shortcomings.

 

[orclover11]

10 wins with Colandrea under center and Matt the Hat at the helm! If that happens I will sing nothing but praises. I absolutely do not think that is going to happen. Do I see a 3-0 start with all the diehard Rhule fans saying “I told you so”? The answer is yes but I believe it will get real (bad) in October and November.

Have you met a Rhule fan. In fact, I don't know that many knowledgeable fans? What are they going to follow? Who the new guys from some mac or mountain west school is? Who the new coach is from some mac or mountain west school? Who the 12 recruits are? College football has lost literally everything that made it great outside of the gameday atmosphere, and that can only last so long. Watching kids develop, watching recruiting, watching a team of nebraska kids win some games and show pride in the program...none of that exists. College football is the minors of the NFL, and we are AA or A in terms of quality of players...eventually people will figure it out and the sport will be about as popular as minor league baseball.

 

[mr.michigan]

I don't know, we were all pretty excited when we beat Akron 68-0.

Some Nebraska writer (I believe on this site) said the Huskers put college football on notice

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Some Nebraska writer (I believe on this site) said the Huskers put college football on notice

What did the wolf writers say?

"We are just hoping to make it through a season without being caught cheating, during games, on our wives, trying to kill people...go blue!"

 

[mr.michigan]

What did the wolf writers say?

"We are just hoping to make it through a season without being caught cheating, during games, on our wives, trying to kill people...go blue!"

I think it was, lets win 9 games, pin something on the worst coach in the Big Ten to get him fired and then hire one of the best coaches in the country and then bring in a great recruiting and transfer portal class all while retaining almost all of your best players. It was highly successful.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

I think it was, lets win 9 games, pin something on the worst coach in the Big Ten to get him fired and then hire one of the best coaches in the country and then bring in a great recruiting and transfer portal class all while retaining almost all of your best players. It was highly successful.

You hired a coach that just got ran out of his old job and that never won anything. Congrats!

 

[mr.michigan]

You hired a coach that just got ran out of his old job and that never won anything. Congrats!

Never won anything? Haaaaa!!!!! You'd kill for him.

 

[Bigred2467]

Never won anything? Haaaaa!!!!! You'd kill for him.

Serious question - how old are you?

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Never won anything? Haaaaa!!!!! You'd kill for him.

What did he win? Which NC was his and how has he done in the playoffs?

 

[RikeMiley]

So….whats the conspiracy theories for why Nebraska sucks much the last 26 years collectively?
Surely Nebraska can’t have intentionally botched 4 or 5 of 6 head coaches this century, right?
Surely Nebraska hasn’t intentionally discarded player development for well over a decade, right?
There’s gotta be some good conspiracy theories out there. It’s the offseason

Eichorst, the pedo raiser, and Billy Devaney force out Mark Banker without notice while he's out recruiting for Nebraska to get Bob Diaco and lose out on Micah Parsons, Diaco's defense pulls a 2007 defense and ruins a coach, lots of dumb decisions like that over the years.

 

[WTFMatt]

Eichorst, the pedo raiser, and Billy Devaney force out Mark Banker without notice while he's out recruiting for Nebraska to get Bob Diaco and lose out on Micah Parsons, Diaco's defense pulls a 2007 defense and ruins a coach, lots of dumb decisions like that over the years.

Banker was an awful coach. Missing out on one player would not affect the dumpster trajectory NU football is on right now.

 

[RikeMiley]

Banker was an awful coach. Missing out on one player would not affect the dumpster trajectory NU football is on right now.

You and I have different definitions of awful. Diaco and Chinander were awful, Banker was fine, not great, I think they would have continued improving on D in 2017.

 

[redli33]

So….whats the conspiracy theories for why Nebraska sucks much the last 26 years collectively?
Surely Nebraska can’t have intentionally botched 4 or 5 of 6 head coaches this century, right?
Surely Nebraska hasn’t intentionally discarded player development for well over a decade, right?
There’s gotta be some good conspiracy theories out there. It’s the offseason

People have grifted from the AD. It's money laundering at this point. There SHOULD be criminal investigations into some people who have worked there. Winning is hard, people have found it easier to come in and just steal life changing generational money than actually do what's needed to win. They've surrounded themselves with friends who also got rich and had a grand old time at our expense.

 

[cHUCK001]

The problem is with the big boys up top. The administration are still good ol boy backwood hicks. They have had the successfull past of the 80's and 90's so far up their butts, they can't get over it. Think what you want about Moos (an idiot himself). However, his excerpts from his memoir are quite telling. An institution ran by idiots for far too long.

 

[featherivered]

The punk is the problem.
*** the 16 y/o phenom.

 

[featherivered]

Nasty pos teenager, as usual, kong; hope you get the clicks you're lookin' for.

 

[NikkiSixx]

When you honestly stop and truly assess the events in college football during the past quarter century, it is almost unreal how every single change has been a detriment to NU football.

Reduction in Scholarship Limits
Death of Prop 48
Parity in S&C Programs
TV Broadcast Saturation
Conference Realignment
The Rise of ESPN/SEC

I'm sure there's plenty more, this is just off the top of my head.

Not to mention the overarching theme of leadership that couldn't find it's own *** with two hands and a flashlight. In retrospect, maybe we never had a prayer.

they set out to try to even the playing field (at first) and remember, we won a lot of games for a long long time. They wanted new teams in the championships, new teams in the playoffs, more eyeballs, to grow the sport's revenue and such. From, that standpoint, I think they have been successful.. although not without some bumps along the way.

But now that NIL is here, it's become about money and the school's donor base and the budget to build a team every year.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

People have grifted from the AD. It's money laundering at this point. There SHOULD be criminal investigations into some people who have worked there. Winning is hard, people have found it easier to come in and just steal life changing generational money than actually do what's needed to win. They've surrounded themselves with friends who also got rich and had a grand old time at our expense.

There is a lot of truth to this. Now, I don't think it is some evil type of thing I just think that the athletics offices have always been a "good ole boy" type playground. Now, I have no idea if it really impacts wins and losses but there are clearly a lot of people that make a lot of money off of it.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

Eichorst, the pedo raiser, and Billy Devaney force out Mark Banker without notice while he's out recruiting for Nebraska to get Bob Diaco and lose out on Micah Parsons, Diaco's defense pulls a 2007 defense and ruins a coach, lots of dumb decisions like that over the years.

Oh my, Billy Devaney! I forgot about that name!

With the "silent verbal" thing, my guess is there are tons of silent verbals that never become anything more than that.

It is hard to tell people no. You are getting wined and dined all weekend, you tell the coach "This is where I want to be, I know it. But, I want to wait to announce it and stuff"


Well, as a coach your options are limited at that point, you either say "Nope, you have to announce it right now and you can't ever take another trip" Like that lame iowa coach does.

Or you say "Okay, great!" and you hope you can hang on to the kid.

 

[K Rod]

So, let me get this straight. Chris Klieman, at 6-6, burned out because he couldn't handle the stress of KSU. And you somehow see that as an "I told ya so" moment in which we should have hired him?

Hardly. You did not get anything straight. I simply stated, what my thoughts were PRIOR to Ruhle being hired. There was NO mention of any burnout out at THAT time. A coach with a lifetime record of 126-47 with 5 championships under his belt, at a lower division, would have IMO been a better hire. If you can comprehend what I posted, his burnout was trying to compete with schools with an almost unlimited NIL budget. For K State it is now very far from an even playing field. Thus the burnout TODAY.

 

[suffocation_]

So, let me get this straight. Chris Klieman, at 6-6, burned out because he couldn't handle the stress of KSU. And you somehow see that as an "I told ya so" moment in which we should have hired him?

Yes, obviously. How is that even a question?

Since Rhule was hired in 2023, Klieman's winning % is over 13% higher, he is undefeated in bowl games, and has 4 wins over ranked opponents.

That 6-6 is considered an absolute failure for Klieman tells you all you really need to know.

 

[Frank Sobotka]

Incredibly sad how apparent the apathy is even among the most rabid subset of our fanbase

Have never seen so little excitement/anticipation/enthusiasm for Nebraska Football in all my life

Guilty as charged over here.

After our season ended like a sweat-fart on a Sunday morning (don’t ask), the sheen wore off. Rhule seems like a decent guy, but the “Matt Rhule comes off as a salesman” thing seems to ring true. I liked his podcast “House Rhules” and thought it could bring more attention to the program in a positive way. Looking back, it seems kinda cheesy now (hindsight is 20/20, though).

Frankly, I’m happy and relieved to know exactly where our program stands now, and not having high expectations makes going into this season a bit easier. That sounds terrible, but it is what it is. Still gonna root for my team no matter what, though. GBR

 

[huskerj12]

I guess I just don't really understand how THIS is the low point for so many of you? We went to back to back bowl games for the first time in over a decade, I totally get that it hasn't been inspiring or hopeful or pretty to look at whatsoever, but compared to the Frost and Riley eras the floor has risen. I was way more pessimistic when we had losing seasons every year. That hasn't been the case with Rhule. So why do people feel worse than ever NOW?

 

[Scoop123]

I guess I just don't really understand how THIS is the low point for so many of you? We went to back to back bowl games for the first time in over a decade, I totally get that it hasn't been inspiring or hopeful or pretty to look at whatsoever, but compared to the Frost and Riley eras the floor has risen. I was way more pessimistic when we had losing seasons every year. That hasn't been the case with Rhule. So why do people feel worse than ever NOW?

This is a fair point. The last two seasons have had a higher floor than the prior two coaches. I think the reason people are so down on the program right now is there is very little hope to break through that level and a very good chance. A new floor will be created with the schedule we have.

Add in the fact that in my opinion only, we have a coach who doesn’t want to be here anymore than we want him here.

 

[Walleye 1]

I guess I just don't really understand how THIS is the low point for so many of you? We went to back to back bowl games for the first time in over a decade, I totally get that it hasn't been inspiring or hopeful or pretty to look at whatsoever, but compared to the Frost and Riley eras the floor has risen. I was way more pessimistic when we had losing seasons every year. That hasn't been the case with Rhule. So why do people feel worse than ever NOW?

Last 1/4 of the season and being honest with the schedule that helped secure another bowl in which was ugly. Many fans knew what the short comings of the team were. And voiced those concerns before the season. Coaches did very little to correct the short comings. And those concerns came to fruition. Terrible roster management. Going into year 4 for Rhule. And I could not be any less enthused for next season. I have no expectations for this team or staff.

 

[RBigredMax1]

I guess I just don't really understand how THIS is the low point for so many of you? We went to back to back bowl games for the first time in over a decade, I totally get that it hasn't been inspiring or hopeful or pretty to look at whatsoever, but compared to the Frost and Riley eras the floor has risen. I was way more pessimistic when we had losing seasons every year. That hasn't been the case with Rhule. So why do people feel worse than ever NOW?

I agree - for me it’s the fact that the 3rd year bump didn’t occur - we had the schedule absolutely lined up for it to happen too. It’s also the reflection on the fact that we allowed our Oline to be coached by someone who had no business doing it, so we could win the services of an 18 year old kid. At the time I was fine with it - but I was very wrong and so was the program to put so much into DR. Additionally it’s the turnover at the coordinator positions that is absolutely running rampant, to an embarrassing level. The lack of stability is concerning.

add that to Rhule staring down the barrel of the 26 schedule and the excuses he is making as a result.

If we don’t see a huge jump in player development and only have 2-3 invited to the combine again - does not bode well for our player development … which also would not surprise due to the turnover we have had.

Veteran QB, new Oline pcs and coach and new defensive philosophy … there’s hope but I will wait and see.

 

[Truewooper]

I don't know, we were all pretty excited when we beat Akron 68-0.

I wasn't lol!

 

[Truewooper]

10 wins with Colandrea under center and Matt the Hat at the helm! If that happens I will sing nothing but praises. I absolutely do not think that is going to happen. Do I see a 3-0 start with all the diehard Rhule fans saying “I told you so”? The answer is yes but I believe it will get real (bad) in October and November.

If Nebraska gets 10 wins this year people will be dancing in the streets of Lincoln.

 

[Baxter48]

It's also that he scammed us for millions before we fire him.

How did Rhule scam you personally out of millions? He did exactly the same thing any good coach and agent would do, take advantage of the situation. Pedo st didn’t do neraska any favors, when they fired Franklin they could have come out and said we are not interested in coach Rhule. by doing that Rhule doesn’t get the extension. People want to blame Dannen and Rhule pedo st had a really big part in the equation

 

[loper]

I still think back to the time before Ruhle was hired. I was 100% in favor of going after Chris Klieman. I said at the time that you throw everything in the world at him to get him to come to Lincoln. My reasoning was he is a nuts and bolts, pure football coach who has won at every level. A guy who knows how to assemble and organize a roster. A guy who can game plan each opponent and also demand sound fundamental play. A balanced offense with a tough O line. His staff put a lot of guys into the NFL. I got tons of pushback on my opinion. My thoughts were that with much better resources, he could do well in the NIL era we were about to enter. Better stadium, better fan base, more money, better facilities.

Fast forward to today and he retired due to "stress" and frustration of not being able to compete with schools with large NIL budgets. NU contacted him from what I was told, and he declined to interview at that time. He did not see the NIL freight train coming. Prior to last season I was impressed with his record vs top 20 teams. Upsets of Oklahoma, Texass, were common. I was impressed every time I watched them play. Very few ( like none ) 4 or 5 star recruits. Just a staff that developed talent and sound schemes on both sides of the ball. His staff was able to pick up undervalued talent like Chad Oakley from Columbus and turn him into a good TE. A roster with no holes in it. It was sad to see him retire. He was a great coach in my book and a guy we should have somehow hired. Honestly I do not think we would be sitting here at 19-19 record after 3 seasons, and I think we would have had some good wins against teams like USC, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, Oregon etc.... I also think we would all be sitting here feeling different about 2026 and the roster we would have had. Players would have been developed and be ready to step in. Portal needs would probably been limited to a few D line or O line guys, maybe a WR or RB but not the wholesale shotgun approach of needing 15 portal guys. We could have loaded up on TOP NIL offers to the guys who were impact players. What he offered was exactly what NU has needed here since BO left. Many will disagree. The lets hire Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops guys will never agree with me, and that is ok I guess.

Chris Klieman was always a leader and a winner. I watched him at QB and point guard at Waterloo IA Columbus and safety at UNI.

 

[Poster FKA schuele]

People want to blame Dannen and Rhule pedo st had a really big part in the equation

Dannen shouldn’t need someone else to tell him Rhule is not a hot commodity that other programs are looking to hire. That is complete nonsense.

I don’t blame Rhule and his overachieving agent for fleecing NU out of an extra $20+ million. But no excuses should be made for Dannen. He got played.

 

[Bigred2467]

Dannen shouldn’t need someone else to tell him Rhule is not a hot commodity that other programs are looking to hire. That is complete nonsense.

I don’t blame Rhule and his overachieving agent for fleecing NU out of extra $10+ million. But no excuses should be made for Dannen. He got played.

Dannen gambled that Rhule had turned things around and was headed for a 9+ win regular season. And he lost.

 

[redli33]

Anyone involved in football in any capacity, AD down to night janitor, should be on the chopping block. This has gone on long enough.

 

[suffocation_]

I guess I just don't really understand how THIS is the low point for so many of you? We went to back to back bowl games for the first time in over a decade, I totally get that it hasn't been inspiring or hopeful or pretty to look at whatsoever, but compared to the Frost and Riley eras the floor has risen. I was way more pessimistic when we had losing seasons every year. That hasn't been the case with Rhule. So why do people feel worse than ever NOW?

1) We got worse as the season went on
2) We were a couple Raiola miracles away from 5-7, now he's gone, and next year's schedule is much tougher.
3) Clearly missed on multiple assistant hires

The goodwill Rhule had built going into year 3 largely hinged on the defensive turnaround and getting Raiola to flip. He has completely lost on both those fronts, at this point.

The only thing I'm looking forward to is seeing if Rob Aurich is the real deal.

I have zero confidence that Rhule is, and ever will be, a guy who inspires players into the best of their ability. Players likely find him pretty annoying by mid-October.

 

[SuperBigFan69]

AD's and HC's have been in collusion with each other for years.

AD's give big contracts and the HC makes sure to always say great things about the AD. Remember, they are not spending THEIR money, it is not like Dannon is paying out of pocket.

 

[Truewooper]

You and I have different definitions of awful. Diaco and Chinander were awful, Banker was fine, not great, I think they would have continued improving on D in 2017.

Mark Banker's defense was definitely the best part of those teams that for sure.