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Penn State

Matt Rhule calls Nebraska 'a destination job' when asked about Penn State rumors

Mug-Shot 4x4by: Ryan Snyder10/16/25RyanSnyderOn3
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Nov 18, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule walks the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft made it clear this week that he’s in no rush to find the next head football coach at Penn State following the firing of James Franklin. However, that won’t stop fans and media alike from searching for every tidbit they can find on who may be the next leader of the Nittany Lion football program.

One of the early favorites to take over the program is current Nebraska head coach and Penn State alum Matt Rhule. It’s easy to understand why. Not only did Rhule live in State College as a teenager, but he also played linebacker for the Nittany Lions in the mid-90s.

However, it’s his connection to Kraft that may stand out the most. After being hired as the head coach at Temple in December 2012, Kraft joined the athletic department in early 2013 as the deputy athletic director. He was eventually promoted to the lead role in 2015, and it’s no secret that the two have remained close friends ever since.

Earlier this week, Rhule had a lot to say about both Penn State and Nebraska in his weekly press conference. On Thursday, he was asked about it again during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

Fans can read his complete quote below.

Rhule on Nebraska and the Penn State job via Pat McAfee Show

Matt Rhule: With my team, it’s just unbridled honesty. Tell them the truth. Tell them exactly the truth and don’t B.S. ‘em, because they’ll know. And secondly, just with what’s out there, this is it, this is part of [being a coach]. It’s better than when I was in Carolina and they were chanting to fire me. It’s better than being on any hot seat list. So, having other schools maybe be interested in you is pretty cool. But I don’t do that during the season, I don’t mess around with that, I don’t play that.

At the same time, [Nebraska] is not a jumping off job. This is a destination job; this is one of the greatest places in the world. This is a town of 300,000 people. Everyone says, Lincoln? There’s 300,000 people here in Lincoln. I can do whatever I want here. I have a great young team, the youngest team in the Big Ten. Think about how good we’ll be next year. Now, I’m not thinking about next year, but where we are right now, we’re learning, learning, learning. Think about where we’re going to go with Dylan [Raiola] and all these guys. So I refuse to be distracted.

At the same time, when it’s your alma mater, you have to show it love and respect. And I love Pat Kraft, but they’ll find the right coach for them, whoever that is. But this is a destination job that should be a national bully, that should be a beast, and I think we’re making our way to doing that.