A solid culture is like a solid foundation; without it, everything will cave in on itself. Matt Rhule has known this for decades, and it has played a key part in his ability to turn around programs. The same goes for his time so far at Nebraska. Rhule made that fact clear this last weekend when he officially announced that Hardley Gilmore was dismissed from the team. Rhule would add, “Nothing outside the program, nothing criminal or anything like that. Just won’t be with us anymore.” We will probably never get the official reason from Rhule, but if the rumors have any truth behind them, it’s because Gilmore was cancerous to the locker room.
This isn’t the first transfer portal player to be dismissed under Rhule. Arik Gilbert was arrested just two days before the first game of the 2023 season. Gilbert was the highest-rated tight-end prospect in history coming out of high school and was a 5-Star Plus prospect. Rhule knew that Gilbert had some problems during his time at LSU and Georgia, but he thought Nebraska had the right group of guys to help him get back on the right path. Rhule would learn the hard lesson that sometimes people just can’t get out of their own way, as Gilbert would be arrested for burglary after breaking into a vape shop. Gilbert was dismissed from the team immediately, but his troubles didn’t stop there. After being dismissed from Nebraska, he would be arrested again for the second time in under three weeks, this time for obstructing an officer and another smash and grab in Georgia.
These dismissals show one of Rhule’s core principles: if you’re not aligned with the culture, you’re not going to last. It doesn’t matter how many stars were next to your name in high school or how high your ceiling might be, if you’re not contributing to the locker room in a positive way, you’re gone. Rhule’s not in Lincoln to babysit. He’s trying to build something real, something that can last. That means prioritizing accountability, discipline, and character above pure talent.
That might rub some people the wrong way, especially in a time when all Nebraska fans just want to win. But Rhule’s approach isn’t about being overly strict, it’s about setting a standard. He’s betting that if he establishes a strong foundation now, the wins will come later. And that culture-first mentality is already starting to show results. The energy around the program is different. Practices are competitive. Veteran players are buying in. Even the nation’s best recruits are taking notice.
In the long run, it’s not just about keeping out the bad apples; it’s about protecting the guys who are doing it right. Rhule knows that one toxic personality can derail months or even years of hard work. That’s why decisions like Gilmore’s dismissal, while tough on the surface, are necessary to protect the integrity of the entire locker room. It sends a message: no one is above the team, and the standard is the standard.