Now that Matt Rhule is officially the head coach of the Nebraska football team, little details are leaking out here and there about his contract. While the school hasn’t announced it, we already know that the Huskers have inked the former Carolina Panthers head coach to an eight-year deal.
At the time the length of the deal leaked out, it wasn’t known just how much he was getting paid. Now, again while no one near the Nebraska football team has confirmed the number, it appears that we know what Matt Rhule is going to get paid during his time in Lincoln.
Ian Rappoport was the first to announce the money details, claiming that Rhule is going to be making $72 million throughout his eight-year contract. That means he’ll be making $9 million per season.
That number is certainly the most that the Nebraska football program has ever paid a coach per year. Scott Frost was the previously highest-paid head coach in the program’s history. But the number is more than that, it also puts Matt Rhule in the Top 10 in college football regarding salary.
When Nebraska hired Matt Rhule, they did more than just set up their future -- they also offset the vast majority of the $34M the #Panthers still owed him. This was the thought when CAR hired Rhule. If he didn't work out, they would be covered. He'll make $72M over 8 in Nebraska.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 27, 2022
Nick Saban is at the top of the list when it comes to highest paid coaches in the country as he makes $11.7 million and Georgia’s Kirby Smart is a close second with $11.2 per year. Dabo Swinney, Lincoln Riley, Mel Tucker, Brian Kelly, and Ryan Day are all making upwards of $9.5 million per season.
Rhule’s new contract will put him in a league with Lane Kiffin and Mark Stoops and put him in a tie for the Top 10 highest paid coaches in college football. Both the length and the money Nebraska football is paying out show that this isn’t a short term investment.
These terms are also almost certainly why reaching a deal took so long. It wasn’t because the Huskers or Rhule were remotely ambivalent about reaching a deal. The holdup appeared to be more about the Carolina Panthers and their buyout.
One thing is clear, when it comes to the marriage between Nebraska football and Matt Rhule. This better work out.