The air in Lincoln feels different lately. It’s not just the crisp January wind whipping across 10th Street. It’s a strange mix of "we've been here before" and "wait, is this actually working?" If you follow head coach Nebraska football news, you know the vibe. Matt Rhule just wrapped up his third season, and honestly, the fan base is in a bit of a tug-of-war with itself.
On one hand, Nebraska finally broke that miserable bowl drought. They won the Pinstripe Bowl in 2024. Then in 2025, they finished 7-6 again. On paper, it looks like a plateau. Some fans are already grumbling about the $12.5 million price tag on Rhule’s new extension. But if you’re looking at just the win-loss column, you’re missing the actual story of what’s happening inside the North Complex.
The Reality of the 2025 Season
Let's be real: the end of 2025 was ugly. The Huskers started 6-2. People were talking about 10 wins. Then, the wheels didn't just fall off; they sort of melted. Back-to-back blowouts against Penn State and Iowa led to a dismal 22-44 loss to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. It felt like the same old Nebraska.
But here is what most people get wrong. Rhule isn't just trying to win games; he’s trying to fix a culture that was essentially radioactive when he arrived.
For the first time since 1939, the Nebraska defense didn't allow a rushing touchdown at home during the 2025 regular season. That is an absurd stat. It’s the kind of "Blackshirt" grit that old-timers have been begging for since the 90s. The problem wasn't the toughness; it was the late-game execution and a sudden vacuum at quarterback.
🔗 Read more: Saint Benedict's Prep Soccer: Why the Gray Bees Keep Winning Everything
The Raiola Departure and the 2026 Pivot
You can't talk about the head coach Nebraska football situation without mentioning Dylan Raiola. Just a few days ago, the news broke that Raiola is transferring to Oregon. Losing a generational talent to Dan Lanning is a gut punch. Period.
Rhule, however, isn't panicking. He’s already overhauled the staff for 2026.
- Rob Aurich is the new Defensive Coordinator, coming over from San Diego State.
- Dana Holgorsen is staying on as Offensive Coordinator to bring some much-needed identity to the scoring attack.
- Lonnie Teasley was brought in from South Carolina to fix the run game.
- Miles Taylor, a former Iowa Hawkeye (don't tell the locals), is joining to coach the safeties.
It’s a massive gamble. Rhule is basically betting that he can replace "star power" with "coaching stability."
Why the Extension Happened Now
A lot of folks lost their minds when AD Troy Dannen gave Rhule a two-year extension through 2032 back in October. Critics pointed to his 0-8 record against ranked teams. They called it "undeserved."
💡 You might also like: Ryan Suter: What Most People Get Wrong About the NHL's Ultimate Survivor
But look at the grade point averages. The team hit a 3.304 cumulative GPA this past spring. That’s the highest in the history of the program. To a lot of people, that doesn't matter on a Saturday in November, but to the administration, it's proof that Rhule is building "the right way." He’s recruited 21 commits for the 2025 class, including local stars like Christian Jones and Pierce Mooberry. He’s keeping the best kids in the state, which is something the previous three coaches couldn't figure out.
The "Year 4" Myth
In coaching circles, Year 3 is usually the "jump" year. Rhule had his massive jumps at Temple and Baylor in Year 3. At Nebraska, Year 3 was a 7-6 season that ended in a bowl blowout.
Does that mean the rebuild is failing?
Not necessarily. The Big Ten isn't the Big 12 of 2019. It’s a meat grinder. Nebraska isn't just playing Iowa and Minnesota anymore; they’re dealing with a world where Oregon and USC are conference rivals. The path back to 10 wins is objectively harder than it was five years ago.
📖 Related: Red Sox vs Yankees: What Most People Get Wrong About Baseball's Biggest Feud
Honestly, the head coach Nebraska football role might be the hardest job in the country right now. You have a fan base with championship expectations and a roster that, until recently, had forgotten how to win a close game.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you're a Husker fan or just a college football junkie watching this experiment, here is what actually matters over the next six months:
- Watch the Transfer Portal Quarterback Room: With Raiola gone, Nebraska needs a veteran bridge. If they don't land a high-level starter in the next few weeks, 2026 will be a long year of growing pains.
- The Aurich Defense: Keep an eye on how Rob Aurich integrates his scheme. He led the country in shutouts at San Diego State last year. If he can bring that "bend but don't break" energy to the Big Ten, the Huskers will stay in every game.
- Offensive Line Development: Geep Wade is the new OL coach. The "Pipeline" has been a pipe dream for a decade. If Wade can’t turn 4-star recruits into NFL-caliber blockers, the offensive scheme won't matter.
The Matt Rhule era isn't a failure, but it’s definitely at a crossroads. The honeymoon is over. The "rebuilding" excuse has an expiration date, and it’s likely the first Saturday of September 2026. Stability is great, but in Lincoln, the only thing that eventually matters is the scoreboard.
Next Steps for Fans:
Track the spring practice reports specifically regarding the offensive line's transition under Geep Wade. The success of the 2026 season hinges more on the trenches than the flashy skill positions. Monitor the "Blackshirt" defensive rotations during the spring game to see if Aurich's aggressive style translates to the existing personnel.