Matt Rhule’s Nebraska Loyalty Tested by Penn State Rumors
As Nebraska surges to a 5-1 start in 2025, whispers of a potential homecoming to Penn State have grown louder following the shocking firing of longtime Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on Sunday. Franklin’s exit after a 3-3 start, capped by a stunning 22-21 upset loss to Northwestern, has left Happy Valley scrambling for its next leader. And Rhule, a Penn State alum and close ally of athletic director Pat Kraft, tops nearly every shortlist.
Rhule addressed the speculation head-on during his weekly press conference in Lincoln on Monday, just days before the Cornhuskers face Minnesota on Friday night. “I absolutely love it here,” he declared, emphasizing his commitment to transforming Nebraska into a “beast” with elite facilities and a passionate fanbase. His words echoed the sentiments of a fanbase that’s endured seven straight losing seasons before Rhule’s arrival in 2023. Under his watch, the Huskers notched their first bowl win since 2015 last year and now sit in the AP Top 25. “My wife loves it here. I have a great relationship with the AD,” Rhule added, painting a picture of stability in a city that’s embraced the Rhule family..
Yet, Rhule didn’t quite say “No”. He openly professed his love for Penn State, where he walked on as a linebacker under Joe Paterno, met his wife, and forged a lifelong bond with Kraft. “It’s my alma mater. Fan since I was born,” Rhule said, while expressing sadness over Franklin’s ouster. “I love Pat [Kraft].” Analysts like CBS Sports’ John Talty have speculated the search “starts and ends” with Rhule, citing his track record of reviving Temple and Baylor. Penn State’s resources, like elite-level NIL and a possible $100 million offer, could tempt any coach.
This isn’t the first time Rhule has navigated such distractions. Flash back to 2019, when his Baylor Bears were riding high at 11-2, bound for the Sugar Bowl after a remarkable turnaround from scandal. As NFL teams circled, Rhule firmly rebuffed overtures. He declined a Browns interview, telling other pro suitors “absolutely not” and emphasizing it wasn’t the “time or place” for an NFL leap. “Unfinished business” at Baylor, he insisted, but would then accept the head coaching job for the Carolina Panthers.
Rhule’s current contract, an eight-year, $74 million deal through 2030, includes a $5 million buyout if he leaves before January 2026; peanuts for Penn State amid its nearly $50 million payout to Franklin. Still, uprooting his family, including a son at UNL and newly relocated parents, seems unlikely.
For now, Rhule’s focus remains on the Cornhuskers’ 2025 season. Penn State fans are mixed when it comes to talking about bringing Rhule home, which makes sense when you look at his and Franklin’s winning percentages against ranked teams. For now, all we can do is wait until a new head coach is named for Penn State, but for every win Nebraska adds this year, the rumors of him leaving will only grow stronger.
