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What Anonymous Big Ten Coaches Said About Nebraska Football, Matt Rhule for the 2025 Season

In a story published by Athlon Sports, coaches from around the Big Ten provided their thoughts on Nebraska football and coach Matt Rhule ahead of the 2025 season.
Kaleb Henry|
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talks with an official during last season's game against UCLA.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talks with an official during last season's game against UCLA. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

In this story:

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska football is heading into a massive year three of the Matt Rhule era.

At Rhule's two previous stops, his program's took a big leap in the third season, with both Temple and Baylor reaching double-figure win totals. Husker fans have seen the changes to the staff and additions from the portal, but more than just local entities are eyeing what's happening in Lincoln.

Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule and athletic director Troy Dannen walk off the field after defeating the Wisconsin
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule and athletic director Troy Dannen walk off the field after the Huskers' 2024 win against Wisconsin. | Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Each offseason, Athlon Sports gets anonymous comments from coaching staffs around the league about the other teams. The comments on Nebraska talk about those staff changes, as well as expectations and how the talent looks on paper.

Below are what the anonymous Big Ten coaches had to say about Nebraska.

“Expectations are building here, but I think this group can meet them.”

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola drops back to pass during the second half against the Boston College Eagles.
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola drops back to pass during the Huskers' 2024 Pinstripe Bowl win over Boston College. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

“Putting Dana [Holgorsen] in as OC is a great move for Matt [Rhule], and he’ll create a lot of advantages for Dylan [Raiola] in that offense.”

“The DC change won’t really affect what they do schematically; they’re still going to run a 3-3-5 base.”

“They need a big-play receiver to step up; otherwise, I think they’re more talented on paper than the Nebraska roster has been in years. The expectations are that they break out and finally compete among the top level in the league. That might not happen, but I think it’s realistic to expect a better bowl destination and more wins, and Dylan to get more national spotlight.”

Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule celebrates with his team after the game against the Boston College Eagles.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule celebrates with his team after Huskers' win in the 2024 Pinstripe Bowl. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

“Matt knows how to do this, and they’re heading in the right direction.”

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Kaleb Henry
KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE's representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 

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