Report: Matt Rhule's coaching staff to include EJ Barthel, another former Panthers assistant

Matt Rhule‘s coaching staff at Nebraska is beginning to take shape, and it appears Rhule has lined up a second hire already. According to a report from FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman, UConn running backs coach EJ Barthel is expected to join Rhule’s staff.

He will reportedly join as the program’s running backs coach.

Barthel began his coaching career as a director of player personnel on Rhule’s staff at Temple in 2015. He also worked on Rhule’s Carolina Panthers staff, serving as an offensive assistant and then a scouting intern.

His coaching with the Panthers included assisting with the running backs and offensive line.

Barthel is a former Rutgers and UMass fullback.

His previous coaching stints include UConn (2022), the Carolina Panthers (2020-21), William & Mary (2019), Howard (2018), Albany (2017), Penn State (2016) and Temple (2015).

Along with Barthel, Matt Rhule’s coaching staff will reportedly include Ed Foley, another former Panthers assistant.

Matt Rhule signs long-term contract with Nebraska

After a failed experiment in the NFL, Matt Rhule is back in college football. This time, he will be taking his talents to the Big Ten West and be the latest to attempt to rebuild the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Rhule knows a big task is ahead of him and to back him, athletic director Trev Alberts has given the head coach a huge contract.

Nebraska and Rhule agreed to an eight-year, $74 million deal, it was announced during Monday’s introductory press conference. This puts him in the top level of head coaches in the Big Ten, competing with the likes of Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and Ryan Day at Ohio State.

Arguably more important, Rhule will have a $7 million assistant pool to work with. Some of the hires have already been reported on and announced, as the Cornhuskers begin a new era in Lincoln with Rhule at the helm.

As Rhule continues to fill out the staff, he will need to hit the ground running. The NCAA transfer portal will be opening on Sunday while recruiting never stops in college football. An important month is ahead of the Nebraska program, even if it’s early.