Nebraska football has fallen off in recent years but new head coach Matt Rhule is saying and doing all the right things to rejuvenate the program.
Matt Rhule has one job: Make Nebraska Nebraska again.
The Cornhuskers used to be one of the premiere college football programs out there, winning conference titles and national championships like they were going out of style. However, they haven't won a conference title this century and haven't sniffed a national title in that span.
After the disastrous tenure of Scott Frost, Rhule has his work cut out for him, but he's focused on winning back the respect, and fear, of the college football world.
Matt Rhule is working to rebuild Nebraska football's respect and fear
This quote, tweeted by Brett McMurphy, alone proves he gets it:
"There was a time when Nebraska football was feared. We're not at that point yet. We need to take back the respect it is to play Nebraska. We want our fans, opponents and all of college football to respect us …. taking back – and bringing back respect – to Nebraska football," Rhule said.
That's exactly how the head coach of Nebraska football needs to approach things. Being a laughing stock is no longer tolerated.
Rhule may need time to earn back that respect though. Even if Frost hadn't left a program in the dumps, the head coach's career reveals a road map. In Year 1 at Temple he won two games. At Baylor it was one. In Year 2 at Temple he won six games. At Baylor it was seven. Then in Year 3 at Temple, he won 10 games. At Baylor it was 11.
The disappointing dip into the NFL waters is the only reason for worry as to Rhule's ability to build a program. But at the college level, he's done it twice in two different conferences, including at Power 5 level.
If anyone can earn back Nebraska's respect, it's Rhule.
