Skip to main content
Penn State

Matt Rhule discusses his ties Penn State and Pat Kraft amid links to job opening

Mug-Shot 4x4by: Ryan Snyder10/13/25RyanSnyderOn3

It’s been nearly 24 hours since Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft made the decision to fire former head coach James Franklin. The news has left many Nittany Lion fans with mixed feelings. Who takes over the program is already the next topic that has fans going back and forth on message boards.

One of the names who’s already been linked with the job is current Nebraska head coach and Penn State alum Matt Rhule. Although he was born in New York, Rhule moved to State College as a teenager and went on to play linebacker under Joe Paterno from 1994 to 1997.

He started his coaching career shortly thereafter, eventually becoming the head coach at Temple when he was hired in December 2012. That’s where he met Kraft, who first became the deputy athletic director at Temple in early 2013 before being promoted in 2015. It’s no secret that both Kraft and Rhule have had a strong relationship ever since.

So, when asked about Penn State today, Rhule had a lot to say about the situation. Fans can read his complete quote below.

Matt Rhule on recent events at PSU

Matt Rhule: “I love Penn State. I met my wife there. It’s my alma mater. Fan since I was born. I think I probably had a Penn State shirt when I was born. I love Pat Kraft. I’m really sad to see Coach Franklin go. When you think about what he did for my alma mater, the program was in peril. If people remember the historic sanctions, you could transfer out, do whatever you want. Bill O’Brien comes in and stabilizes it for two years.

“James takes over a program in disarray and gives stability, excellence. To see videos of people yelling at his kids, I just don’t understand why, in our country now, coaches are villains. You know how hard I worked in Carolina, and the things that were said to me? You know how hard I work here and how hard our staff worked last year? So, I’m just really sad about that part of it. People say, ‘Oh, well, you make a lot of money,’ but making a lot of money doesn’t make your kids feel good when they’re hearing that. It’s nice to make a lot of money, don’t get me wrong, but we’re still people. I really respect James Franklin.”

Live Updates: Recruits react to Penn State firing head coach James Franklin

“[Nebraska athletic director] Troy [Dannen] and I are in an unbelievable relationship, too. Troy and I are in constant, constant, constant communication about this program and where we’re headed. I came here for two reasons: 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 that 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.

“So, I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come. Maybe it’s been a while here, but this is what happens when you win. We won at Temple, and I dealt with it all the time. I 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 to turn this thing into a beast. Players all across the country want to come here. We have the best facilities, we have elite fans and I’m just looking at the future. But again, I love that place [Penn State]. I love Pat, I love James Franklin and I’m sad that came to an end. I wish him the absolute best, but I’m really happy here, and I’m excited to get going this week on Minnesota.”