Post Season Press Conference With Coach Rhule
On Thursday December 12th, Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule held a post season press conference where he discussed some things that happened during the season, what is going on with the team now, and what we could expect to potentially see in the future.
Here is a recap of what Coach had to say:
– Coach opened up the conference by saying that the Huskers had 91 players eligible for academic All- American, with special not to Bryce Benhart for doing it a fifth time
– The search for a full time secondary coach continues with interviews Thursday and Friday
– Rhule had a methodical search for a new DC to replace Tony White, interviewing up to 6 people. Coach was not focused on making a “splash hire,” but chose to focus on making the right hire
– The defense took a few steps backward this year and Rhule wants to be able to have some advanced third down defense as well as improved tackling
– The current players on defense were very outspoken in wanting John Butler to take over as DC
– Transitioning from NFL to College late in the year as Butler did is not easy for anyone, and Rhule feels that the growth that he has seen from some of the younger talent in the secondary room is impressive for Butlers short time at Nebraska
– Phil Snow is not officially hired so Rhule could not speak about his position. But he did say if he hired someone in that position he would have them in a position as a big picture person who can help in some fundamental building blocks areas
– Snow was a Broyles award finalist at Baylor and had the second ranked defense in the NFL in his second year
– Rhule said that there are more days than not where he does not get to do any football, so he wants to have a staff of excellent coaches who can help run the program, but still wants to be involved in development of his players
– Dylan Raiola played winning football for the Huskers this year, and thinks that Holgorsen as the OC can help take Dylan to another level
– The Huskers need to make a major jump offensively and Rhule thinks they have made a major jump already in this months bowl practices
– No amount of turnover or attrition scares Rhule right now because he feels that Holgorsen’s system is effective enough to produce NFL level talent
– Nate Boerkircher entered the transfer portal yesterday and is currently looking at his options. The staff feels that Boerkircher has a lot of potential and would like to be able to retain him
– The days of a player entering the portal and not being able to come back are over. Some players will enter and can come back, others will enter and can’t comeback
– Coach thinks that players who transfer every year may make more money in college but are going to hamper their overall development as a player
– Heinrich Haarberg is now in the Tight End room full time. Rhule said that he is one of the better athletes that he has ever coached and has a real chance at making the NFL
– Bowl practice schedule is Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. With Monday, Wednesday, Friday lifting. Next week will be bowl prep. But the focus has been getting the young players ready
– Do not believe everything you see on social media, Matt Rhule and his wife are not expecting a child despite what you may see on social media
– Rhule will not say anyting negative about anyone who leaves the program. Sometimes people that need to leave do leave, and others leave that they want to stay
– Rhule new it was going to be difficult to get down to the roster limit of 105 while adding to the talent they need
– Garret McGuire was not fired by Rhule, McGuire took a job offer with his dad at Texas Tech
– Rhule expects the Huskers to make a jump with the extra month of practice
– In the new model of College Football the Huskers are now embracing the transfer portal more than ever
– Phil Simpson is a needle mover for the Nebraska staff and is a great recruiter who helps Rhule handle discipline and mentorship of players
– The style of football that Rhule believes in is the Joe Cullen style
– Players don’t need a friend, they need a coach who will get them to where they want to be
– The Huskers will be flying out some of the Seniors from last years team for the bowl game in thanks for laying the foundation for the future
– Rhule is grateful for being able to play another month of football
Rhule spoke for a little over 20 minutes on Thursday and seemed to have an overwhelmed but joyous demeanor.
Incase you haven’t noticed there has been an awful lot of news and drama in the month of December already, transfers either coming or going (sometimes players doing both), coaching hires and departures, Bill Belichick coaching at North Carolina (what!). So don’t get too comfortable, buckle up and grab your helmet, offseason madness is upon us.
Stay tuned for more Husker fans
