Nebraska Football: Bronco Mendenhall considered ‘wild card’ in Husker search
While the Nebraska football head coach search is likely to take some twists and turns, one name that has entered the chat is one that, seems to be coming out of left field. Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall hasn’t been included often when fans discuss the list of names that should be at the top of the Huskers’ list.
While it’s entirely too early to know which way the Nebraska football program is leaning too definitively (but it’s probably Matt Campbell) It’s not too early to say “thanks no” to a few names that have popped up in rumors already. Is Mendenhall one of those “thanks nos” right alongside Urban Meyer? If that’s the case, it’s for very obvious different reasons.
In Meyer’s case, it’s that the former Ohio State coach has done some pretty reprehensible things over the course of his career. There is also the fact that there’s a question whether he wants to get back into coaching. In Mendenhall’s case, it seems like he doesn’t have the flashy name that Cornhusker fans have been looking for early on in the process.
Not long ago, an article from Husker 247 talked about both Mendenhall and Matt Rhule being “wildcard” names to keep an eye on for Nebraska football fans. Rhule had been mentioned before and is even the top target for some Huskers fans.
Mendenhall’s name is intriguing to me, even if I think he has very little chance of being a top candidate. The Cavaliers’ head coach does have a history of success at programs where it can be hard to win. He posted a career 99-43 record at BYU before taking the Virginia job.
His high water mark for the Cavs was a 9-5 record in 2019 where he even got to the ACC title game (where they lost 62-17 to Clemson.) One reason Nebraska football fans might not get very fired up about Mendenhall is that he’s gone 5-6, 6-6, and is just 2-1 this year with a loss to Illinois and a two-point win over Old Dominion.
In fact, before that ODU victory, Mendenhall had a positively Frostian five-game losing streak against FBS schools. He’s still got that losing streak against Power 5 programs.
While there is still a long way until December, Bronco Mendenhall being on the Nebraska football program’s list feels like it would be a surprise. It also feels like it wouldn’t be a very welcome surprise if he ends up being the hire.