Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule says he loves Penn State but focus is on work for Huskers
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule’s name has been immediately connected in media speculation to the job opening at Penn State.
Rhule, 50, addressed reporters Monday for the first time since Saturday’s 34-31 win at Maryland, and to no surprise, the PSU opening immediately came up.
James Franklin was fired Sunday as the Nittany Lions’ head coach.
“I love Penn State,” Rhule told reporters during his weekly media appearance in Lincoln. “I met my wife there. It’s my alma mater, been a fan since I was born. I think I probably had a Penn State shirt on when I was born.”
He said he loves Pat Kraft, the Penn State athletic director.
Rhule says focus is on Nebraska
However, Rhule said, his focus remains on Nebraska and his team in Lincoln.
“Troy (Dannen) and I are in an unbelievable relationship, too, and Troy and I are in constant communication about this program and where we are heading,” the third-year Husker head coach said, referring to Nebraska’s athletic director.
“I came here for two reasons,” Rhule added. “I love the community here and wanted to live here, and I love it here. And, I wanted to rebuild Nebraska football. Troy and I understand the steps you need to take to make us Big Ten champions and national champions.
“This place is elite. I want to be a great father, and I want to be a great college football coach. I’m not going to talk about job openings when they come. Maybe it’s been awhile here, but this is what happens when you win. We’ve won at Temple and I dealt with it there. Dealt with it at Baylor. I’m not going to talk about those things ever. I’m not going to talk about my contract here, I’m going to talk about the team.
“I absolutely love it here. I want us to continue to take the steps needed for us to turn this thing into a beast.”
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Kraft said Monday that Penn State will conduct a national search for Franklin’s successor.
“Our next coach will be somebody who embodies everything Penn State stands for,” he said.
Nebraska pushes forward
As speculation about Rhule and Penn State swirls, Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) prepares to play Minnesota (4-2, 2-1) on Friday night in Minneapolis.
Could this story be a distraction for Husker players?
“I’m their coach, I love them, and we’re rolling,” Rhule said. “With them, I’m going to be as honest as possible. With everything. I’m their coach. Let’s rock.”
“This stuff is good. It’s way better than it was in Carolina when I was on the hot seat,” he said of his firing in the fall of 2022 by the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. “Nothing has happened. A job is open. This is because our players are so good.
“Do you guys think when we were 5-3 my first year here that any schools called me then? When we were 5-1 last year, do you think anyone called me then? This is part of the deal. I’m the Huskers’ coach. This is a great job. I’m not frustrated; I’m worried about Minnesota.
“This (speculation) is a good thing; it’s just maybe hasn’t happened here in awhile.”
