Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule addressed speculation linking him to the vacant Penn State job on Monday, expressing his commitment to the Cornhuskers program but stopping short of dismissing the rumors.
Rhule’s name emerged as a leading candidate immediately following the firing of James Franklin due to his deep connections to Penn State. He was a walk-on linebacker for the Nittany Lions in the 1990s, is married to a fellow alum, and maintains a close friendship with athletic director Pat Kraft, who previously hired him at Temple in 2012.
When asked about the opening during his weekly media availability, Rhule focused on his current role. “This place is elite,” he said. “And I want to be a great father, and I want to be a great college football coach. And so I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come.”
Under Rhule, who was hired in December 2022, Nebraska has shown significant improvement. The Cornhuskers (5-1) entered the Associated Press poll this week at No. 25, having achieved their first winning season in seven years in 2024.
The 50-year-old coach is in the third year of a contract that runs through 2030, earning $7.5 million this year. A departure before January 1 would require a $5 million buyout.
While acknowledging his history with Penn State, Rhule reiterated his dedication to Nebraska’s future. “I absolutely love it here, and I just want us to continue to take the steps needed for us to turn this thing into a beast,” he stated. “I love that place [Penn State], I love Pat, I love James Franklin… But I’m really happy here.”
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