WATCH: Matt Rhule press conference after firing Donovan Raiola & Terry Bradden, hiring new DC & OL coach
Matt Rhule and the Nebraska football program wrapped up the 2025 season with a disappointing 7-5 record entering the postseason.
The Huskers finished their campaign two games above .500 (4-5 in the Big Ten) after dropping three of their final four, thus losing lost most of the momentum they would have gained if they had finished the season strong with wins over Penn State and Iowa – or just winning one of the two to finish at 9-3 or 8-4 ahead of a bowl game.
Rhule beating his alma mater or notching his first win over Iowa, though, crashed by the wayside in blowout losses – one on the road, one at home as they lost by a combined 51 points (77-26) across those two games.
Now, the Huskers are slotted into the Las Vegas Bowl, where a matchup against No. 15 Utah (10-2) will await on New Years Eve at Allegiant Stadium.
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Now, the Huskers and their head coach will carry a great deal of anxiety – and questions to answer – entering not only what will now be a lower-tier bowl game in late December but also what will be yet another pivotal offseason in the Rhule Era.
That offseason officially kicked off with the dismissal of John Butler as the Huskers’ defensive coordinator after just one year as the full-time DC. An offseason absolutely loaded with more news continued over the weekend – with the firing of offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, the hiring of new OL coach Geep Wade and the hiring of new DC Rob Aurich – and continued on Monday (with the firing of defensive line coach Terry Bradden after one season with the program).
On Tuesday, Rhule met with the media to discuss Raiola’s dismissal as OL coach, hiring Wade to replace him and the new hire of Aurich to lead the defense. He also spoke in depth about his decision to fire Bradden, the vision for the O-line and a new-look defense, the team’s bowl game prep and plenty more.
Watch and listen to Rhule’s interview session with the media via the video below.
Tuesday’s press conference video is also available to watch for free on the Inside Nebraska YouTube channel.