Nebraska Football: An early observation and mid-season evaluation of Matt Rhule
By David Crum
The Nebraska football team has reached it’s first mid-season pause under head coach Matt Rhule and the provides an opportunity for evaluation.
Nebraska football sits at 3-3. Scott Frost’s best season was 5-7 in 2019.
Matt Rhule can outperform Frost’s 5-7 record with six games left.
Nebraska football fans knew little about Rhule when he arrived in Lincoln, except he turned around two programs: Temple and Baylor. He struggled in the NFL, but so did Nick Saban and Urban Meyer.
Rhule came to Lincoln with a definitive plan. He wanted to compete. His intensity is without question. Husker fans have not seen such a passionate performance from their head coach since Bo Pelini. Rhule does not shy away from heated discussions with referees and players who make mishaps. The coach is always involved on the sideline and gives motivating pre-game speeches.
Rhule passionately guided Heinrich Haarberg after some questionable throws in the last game against Illinois.
Both position coordinators, Tony White, and Marcus Satterfield, are based on the sideline and held accountable for their play calls.
Rhule deserves his reputation as a highly competitive football coach. He has motivated his players, and his team will most likely experience their most successful season in several years.
Perhaps the coach should have made a quarterback change during the Minnesota or Colorado game, warranting some criticism. But Jeff Sims has talent, and Rhule wanted little controversy at the beginning of the season.
Nebraska football feels different under Matt Rhule
But Rhule has also made some gutsy calls. Because of injuries and two games plagued with turnovers, he made Haarberg the starter. Haarberg, initially not well-known in college football, has matched his coach in competitiveness and physicality. The wins have not always been pretty, but the approach has worked.
Haarberg runs the ball successfully and throws the ball with a respectable arm. He seems to be a leader the players gravitate toward.
Sure, it is early in the season, and Nebraska very well could end up in a similar standing to the last several years. But Nebraska football seems to compete, and the defense has played well outside of two games. This alone gives fans hope that the future looks bright.
Not only will fans be excited to see aggressive football back, but Rhule’s early success helps to recruit. Memorial Stadium is home to some of the best and most passionate college football fans. Add this to a respectable defense and a coach who brings back excitement; recruits will take notice.
Sitting at 3-3, Nebraska football fans have something to look forward to. Rhule is positioned for success; watching how he takes advantage of this opportunity will be fun.