Terry Smith opens up on his special relationship with Nebraska HC Matt Rhule

Matt Rhule, as a head coach, has given many people an opportunity to coach at the college level, and one of the first people he did that for was Terry Smith. Smith is now the interim head coach at Penn State and has been since the Nittany Lions fired James Franklin earlier this season.

Rhule has seen Smith on opposing sidelines before, but this time, he will see him as a head coach as Nebraska takes on Penn State this weekend, which could dig up some old emotions. Smith was asked about his relationship with Rhule in his press conference previewing the matchup with Nebraska this week, and it is clear that the two hold a special bond.

Now, they will have to face off and will be trying to beat the other, but when it is all said and done, they will shake hands in the end as old friends.

Terry Smith thanks Matt Rhule for the opportunity to coach at the college level

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule began his head coaching journey at the college level when he took the position at Temple back in 2012. After one season with the Owls, Rhule was out on the recruiting trail, and when recruiting a player at Gateway High School in Pennsylvania.

Smith was speaking with a player while Rhule was there, a player who had gone to Ohio State, but was going through some life-changing things. After the discussion, Smith and Rhule spoke, and the next day, Terry was offered a position on Rhule's coaching staff. Smith said it was because Rhule appreciated his character and care for his players.

Of course, Smith is thankful for everything that Rhule has done for him, especially giving him his start in college coaching, and nothing will ever change that. However, that doesn't mean Smith still won't do everything he can to beat the Cornhuskers on Saturday, so Nebraska better be ready for this Penn State team.