3 thoughts on Dana Holgorsen getting fired and what comes next for Nebraska

After the Nebraska football offense failed to score more than 17 points for the fourth consecutive game, resulting in its fourth consecutive loss, Matt Rhule finally fired Dana Holgorsen.

It’s a move that feels too little, too late.

Rhule should have made a change after the Washington game. Oregon and Indiana have exceptional defenses. Washington doesn’t, and the Huskers still couldn’t score 20 points to win the game. Hell, 14 would have done it before Colandrea threw an interception in desperation time.

The last straw for Nebraska football fans was when the Huskers decided to go with an empty formation on fourth-and-1. Holgorsen also called more than 40 pass plays in each of the last two games, with way more passes than runs.

With a 5-4 record and three games to go, Nebraska football has also wasted a massive opportunity. Glenn Thomas is taking over as the interim offensive coordinator, and it feels like nothing but a three-game winning streak is going to make the fan base feel good about Matt Rhule heading into Year 5.

Here are some thoughts on the future of Nebraska football after Holgorsen’s exit.

Matt Rhule reacted too late

One of my problems with Rhule is that he always seems to be reacting. He should have anticipated that John Butler wasn’t going to be a good defensive coordinator. It should not have taken multiple years to realize that Holgorsen wasn’t a good fit.

We blamed some of the issues on the lack of a running quarterback. Rhule got Holgorsen a running quarterback, and he still threw the ball too much.

The offense looked great early in the season. But part of that was the schedule. Things fell apart against Washington, and instead of trying to right the ship against Illinois, Rhule let another winnable game get away.

It’s not like Thomas is going to install a new system. He’s just going to call plays differently. The defense was good enough to make the College Football Playoff or at least be a serious contender.

Instead, the Huskers are playing out the string, hoping for a bowl game.

A new offensive coordinator is Rhule’s last chance

Unless Nebraska football drops the game against Rutgers on Sunday as a 13.5-point favorite, it feels like Rhule will be back next season. The 2027 recruiting class is strong. Beyond that, the buyout is massive. Rob Aurich was a home run.

Rhule needs a new offensive coordinator and a new special teams coordinato

For more Nebraska content, follow us on Twitter, like our Facebook Page, and subscribe to the Big Red Banter YouTube Channel.