Despite some frustration over how the Nebraska football team closed out its 2025 season, there's still a ton of excitement about how the Huskers could surprise people this fall. One of the main reasons NU is expected to be quite a bit better than some analysts initially expected is its new offensive line coach. It's not just that Geep Wade is an upgrade over former OL coach Donovan Raiola. According to a new list released by analytics experts, Matrix Analytical on Twitter, Wade is an upgrade over every offensive line coach in the Big Ten.
Even better news for the Huskers, assuming these analytics can be predictive, is that Wade isn't just the best offensive line coach in the conference, but he clears that bar by a wide margin. The account laid out the ratings for the top five coaches in the B1G and offered at least a brief look at how they arrived at those scores. The analysts said they build the ratings using play-by-play offensive line performance on a per-play basis and then adjust for talent.
Nebraska's new hire tops the list with a 0.78352 rating, well ahead of Indiana's Bob Bostad with a 0.70752 rating. Third place went to Oregon's Alique Terry (0.7058), Illinois' Bart Miller (0.68406), and Minnesota's Brian Callahan, who rounds out the list with a 0.67664 score.
Wade's impact on the Huskers should and could be two-fold. He's a very good coach who will work to turn the current players who were in Lincoln before into better players with better technique. He's also brought in several very talented transfer offensive linemen who could be in line to start in their first season in Lincoln.
Top OL Coaches in the #B1G!@GeepWade #Huskers@Coach_Bostad #IUFB @105CoachTerry #GoDucks@Coach_BMiller #Illini @Callybrian #Gophers pic.twitter.com/lbe1RjddHK
— Matrix Analytical (@CFBAnalytical) May 30, 2026
Geep Wade’s analytics praise adds fuel to Nebraska football’s offensive line optimism
Wade has also had plenty of success in high school recruiting, though that's more about the program's future than 2026. The former Georgia Tech coach also knows that expectations from Nebraska football fans will turn up the heat on the entire coaching staff.
One of the reasons there is so much excitement about him taking over the offensive line is that he teaches in a way that encourages development, as proven at his previous stops.
"A lot of coaches yell at people, 'get your dang hand inside.' You know what I mean?" Wade said earlier this spring. "I don't do that. I coach those guys. But I'll demand the effort. You know what I mean? The finish part. And I, and of course I've learned over time. You gotta demand that effort and physicality or you won’t play for me and Coach.”
All of the excitement over Geep Wade being "the man" for the offensive line in 2026 could be for naught, of course. If the Huskers stumble or come out of the gate not looking as sharp on the offensive line, fans will turn on the new hire quickly.
"Listen, there’s no honeymoon period,” Wade said while the Huskers were going through the first spring practice with several new hires. “I know what I’m getting into here, and I embrace that. I’m ready for it. I wake up every day and I’m the o-line coach at Nebraska. That gets you out of bed early in the morning and keeps you up late at nights. I understand it. I’m built for this job.”
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