The Nebraska football careers of several Huskers are officially over and those departing believe Matt Rhule has the program in great shape.
The Nebraska football season officially ended with a last-second loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes. The loss marked the Huskers’ fourth straight defeat under first-year head coach Matt Rhule.
Knowing that, fans could be forgiven if they’re a bit worried about the state of the Rhule regime. There’s going to be arguments for the next few months about whether or not progress was made.
If you ask the outgoing Nebraska football players, there isn’t a debate. The program is in a better state than Rhule found it and most of those who are leaving think fans will see that as soon as next season.
“I want to say it’s all Coach Rhule. It’s us, but just the type of person he is, the type of man he is, the type of coach he is, I’m excited to see what Nebraska is going to be like. …” said Husker safety Omar Brown after playing his last game as a Husker. “Even the younger guys and how everything’s going. When we got that new coaching staff a lot of seniors had to make certain decisions just for themselves. Some guys left … but we just bought in. We bought into what he said. … And I think it helped with a lot of people, not just on the field but also off the field. The type of person he has on staff, the type of person he is, they just care for you.”
Nebraska football players see a solid foundation
Exiting senior offensive lineman Nouredin Nouili knows how hard it is with a new coach. He’s had a couple of them in his time in college football. He thinks things are going to be better next year.
"“Everybody that stuck here and stuck together, we’ve been through a lot. And they’re still here. They’re in really, really good hands. They just don’t know any better. The adversity that comes now, they will profit from that next year.”"
That’s the kind of talk that allows for excitement in the Nebraska football program. On the other hand, we’ve officially reached put up or shutup time for Rhule and his staff.