5 offensive coordinator candidates Nebraska should consider as Matt Rhule searches for answers

Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule met with the media Monday ahead of the Rutgers game. However, before he started talking about Rutgers, and just after addressing Dana Holgorsen’s firing, Rhule announced a contract extension for defensive coordinator Rob Aurich.

Aurich has signed a two-year extension. It was a smart move by Rhule. It should appease the fan base a little. The fans who wanted their pound of flesh got it with the firing of Holgorsen.

For now, that will have to do. Unless Nebraska loses to Rutgers on Saturday and loses all seven games to close the season, it feels like a near certainty that Rhule will be back as head coach.

Unless the Aurich deal has a low buyout or a clause that lets him out if Rhule is fired, it’s hard to see him signing that deal if he thinks Rhule will be fired in a few weeks. It makes sense to keep the 2027 recruiting class intact. Beyond that, Nebraska has gained more yards than its opponent in every game this season.

It’s frustrating to be 5-4, but the only other teams to accomplish that this season are all ranked in the top five. Rhule should get some credit for that. Win on Saturday, and he will get another year. He will also need to knock it out of the park with the offensive coordinator hire. Here are five candidates he should consider.

Dream candidates for Nebraska football OC

Rob Ezell — Wake Forest

Nebraska football fans have thrown his name out a bunch. It makes sense. He would be a great fit. The problem is that if Jake Dickert gets hired as a head coach, it feels like Wake Forest would be wise to consider Ezell as his replacement.

Ezell spent time coaching under Nick Saban from 2015 to 2020. He worked with tight ends and the offensive line at Alabama. He coached quarterbacks and was the offensive coordinator at South Alabama before getting hired at Wake Forest.

Ezell is a hot candidate. If Nebraska could hire him, I’d be all for it, but it feels like a long shot.

Chip Lindsey — Missouri

My personal favorite is Chip Lindsey. Getting him away from Missouri would probably be expensive. You never know, though. Lindsey has Big Ten experience from working at Michigan in 2025. He did a solid job with Bryce Underwood and built a dominant running game that he has now taken to Missouri.

Lindsey worked with Drake Maye at North Carolina and played a key role in his development. If the price tag weren’t an issue and Nebraska football could steal him away, Lindsey would be my top choice.

Realistic options for Nebraska football OC

Nate Potter — Boise State

Rhule said the goal was to get the hire right and not rush the process. There are three weeks left in the regular season, so the Huskers have plenty of time. Nate Potter of Boise State seems like a great option if Rhule wants the next Aurich.

The former All-American offensive lineman has an NFL background. He also coached tight ends at Montana State before moving to Boise State to coach tight ends and serve as the run-game coordinator. Potter learned under Dirk Koetter and took over as offensive coordinator in 2025.

Boise State averaged 427 yards of total offense in 2025, including 179 yards on the ground. This season, Potter’s offense is averaging 473 yards of total offense, with 237 passing yards and 236 rushing yards per game. He also feels attainable.

Potter doesn’t have Big Ten experience. However, he’s a former offensive lineman who wants to run the ball, but he also has a truly balanced offense.

Slade Nagle — Houston

Slade Nagle is another intriguing name for Nebraska to consider as it searches for its next offensive coordinator. The Houston offensive coordinator has more than 20 years of coaching experience and has worked with some of the most respected offensive coaches in college football.

Nagle spent eight seasons at Tulane under Willie Fritz, coaching tight ends before being promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2023. That season, the Green Wave won 11 games during the regular season, went undefeated in American Athletic Conference play and averaged more than 20 points in 11 of 12 regular-season contests.

He also helped develop quarterback Michael Pratt, who was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Year.

After spending the 2024 season coaching tight ends and special teams at LSU, Nagle reunited with Fritz at Houston in 2025. The Cougars improved in nearly every offensive statistical category during his first season, moving from 128th to 60th nationally in total offense and from 132nd to 55th in scoring offense.

Houston has continued to produce under Nagle in 2026. Through nine games, the Cougars are averaging 35.4 points and 470.2 total yards per game, ranking 22nd and 13th nationally, respectively. The rushing attack ranks 17th nationally at 207.8 yards per game, while Houston leads the country in third-down conversion percentage.

Nagle would bring Nebraska an experienced coordinator with a history of developing quarterbacks and building productive rushing attacks. Beyond all that, Nagle and Troy Dannen were at Tulane from 2016-23. If there is anyone on this list who has a connection to Nebraska football, it’s Nagle.

Dan Larson — North Dakota State

Larson is an interesting name. This is another hire that might not win the press conference, just like Potter probably won’t, but could be a good hire in the mold of Aurich.

Larson has eight seasons of experience as an offensive coordinator at the Division III level, along with three seasons as a head coach at Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

After that, he was hired as North Dakota State’s offensive line coach before eventually becoming the offensive coordinator. Larson has coached and developed multiple NFL draft picks on the offensive line. He’s also coached tight ends and fullbacks.

In his first season as offensive coordinator in 2025, NDSU went 16-0 and rushed for a school-record 4,601 yards, averaging 287.6 yards per game. The Bison had four players rush for at least 600 yards. They are averaging 351 yards per game and 28 points this season, their first in the FBS.

Still, North Dakota State has a 7-2 record, and the running game is really sound. It would take a leap of faith, but Larson has the kind of mindset Rhule has said he wants in an offensive coordinator.

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