If Matt Rhule hasn't already gotten Elijah Robinson to say yes to an offer as defensive line coach at Nebraska, another top candidate just fell into his lap with the firing of Sherrone Moore.
More was fired in a shock move by Michigan on Tuesday evening. In the process, the school offered up unprecedented details as to why. Moore was fired "for cause" after an investigation showed that the married head coach had an "inappropriate relationship" with a staff member.
Nebraska doesn't play Michigan next season, so on that front, Moore's firing doesn't affect them. On the other hand, Lou Esposito, come on down.
Esposito was a relatively new hire by Michigan, joining Moore's staff after he was named the head coach in 2024. That means while Esposito does have deep ties to the state, he doesn't have deep ties to the Wolverines.
His possible availability comes at the perfect time for the Huskers, who fired their own defensive line coach just a day ago. Terry Bradden was let go after one season with NU. He was brought over when Rhule made John Butler the defensive coordinator, then let go when Butler was fired.
Since Esposito joined UM, the defensive line has been a strength, but his resume goes back farther than that. He spent the 10 years before joining the Big Ten at Western Michigan, where he helped players achieve 32 All-MAC honors, including seven first-team accolades and 12 second-team honors.
Several of his players eventually landed in the NFL, including Paul Hazel (2010), Freddie Bishop (2012), Robert Spillane (2017), A.J. Thomas (2021), Zaire Barnes (2022), Braden Fiske (2022), Marshawn Kneeland (2023), 2019 All-American linebacker Treshaun Hayward (142 tackles; third, NCAA), and 2021 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Ali Fayad (13.0 sacks).
Rumors say that Robinson is Rhule's top target; however, Nebraska is in a bidding war with LSU and several other mystery schools. At some point in the near future, it wouldn't hurt to pivot to Lou Esposito and bring in a talented defensive line coach from a formidable conference rival.