Matt Rhule reveals what he said to the players, expectations for them

Since taking over as the head coach at Nebraska, Matt Rhule has had a ton on his plate, including talking to players on the roster and scheduling talks with current coaches. Recently the new Cornhuskers headman revealed what he said to the players and his expectations for them as the team heads into the offseason.

“I started reaching out to the players as I could over the last couple of days via text and some phone calls,” said Rhule. “The message I had for them was I understand the position that they’re in. Not one player in that locker room signed up to play for me. Not one player was recruited by me chose to come here for me. But I wanted them to know that, ‘Hey I chose to come coach you. I’m here to be your coach; I’d like to be your coach.'”

Whenever there is a coaching transition, there is usually an influx of players leaving the program for various reasons. Rhule is attempting to get ahead of that issue by putting his plan front and center, making it clear for players what the offseason will look like at Nebraska. He also explained that he’s not here to run anybody off but will hold his players to a higher standard.

“I’m not one of those guys that comes in and runs everybody off. I’ve never done that. I come in and try to set a high standard, a high expectation. I hope that the veteran players on the team take my expectations and raise it. So, I said that to them. I wanted to make sure that they knew that when they got back in the spring that we were going to work at a really high level. And hard work is not punishment, practicing and playing football is not punishment, and being physical at practice is not punishment. I wanted them to understand that the way that we can get to where we want to be is on the practice field; it’s through competing. I wanted them to all be a part of it.”

Rhule’s last message to the players

His last message to the players highlighted what Rhule thinks about what it is to be a part of cornhusker nation, and also let the players know what they have to say matters too.

“I think it’s an honor and a privilege to be a Nebraska Cornhusker football coach and football player. And I wanted them to appreciate that. And then finally I told them I’d be here all week and I look forward to talking to each guy. I want to hear their perspective and hear from them. I think that’s really important for me to learn more about this program right,” said Rhule.

Rhule has a difficult task ahead of him, but it is not impossible. Nebraska is still widely viewed as one of the more prestigious football programs in the country despite their recent struggles. Just the name alone, for many, conjures up thoughts of national championships. And if Rhule can tap into that, he can surely get the players to buy into his process regardless of whether they came to Nebraska for him or not.