Rumblings of a Matt Rhule extension with Nebraska football

Nebraska football fans have heard the rumors about Matt Rhule possibly leaving for Penn State. But more and more, it feels like the Huskers’ head coach isn’t going anywhere.

Even though Rhule has still been viewed by pundits as one of the favorites, due to his ties to Penn State AD Pat Kraft and the fact that he’s an alum, there is more buzz about him staying than going.

There are also rumblings about a contract extension for Matt Rhule to stay with the Nebraska football program.

Local sports radio host Josh Peterson, who also covers Nebraska for HuskerMax, posted on X Tuesday that there is some “chatter” that Rhule and Nebraska football would be announcing an extension. He cited a source saying that Troy Dannen has been working on the deal. 

Damon Benning, another radio host who does color commentary for the Huskers, also seemed confident that Rhule would be back this week, although he didn’t say anything like Peterson.

Some on the Penn State side of things seem to have the same opinion — that Rhule is going to be out of the race to be the Nittany Lions head coach.

Is a Matt Rhule contract extension warranted?

The debate among some Nebraska fooball fans is whether or not an extension is warranted. In three seasons, he’s 18-15 as the head coach but has led the Huskers to consecutive bowl berths.

It will be November 1st on Saturday, and Nebraska’s record is 6-2. They still have an outside shot at the College Football Playoff if they win out. That’s not likely to happen, yet it’s possible.

This isn’t a program battling for bowl eligibility. It’s also a program slated to have 14 starters back next season, including the quarterback, running back, and every skill guy but Dane Key.

Rhule also has a 2027 recruiting class that features a five-star safety, a top-50 overall prospect at quarterback, and a top-10 haul overall. There are plenty of positive signs.

Has Rhule won the big game? Not yet. Progress is progress, though. Perhaps it hasn’t come as quickly as we hoped; however, there is a month left in the 2025 season. Maybe it will.

It seems silly to wait for the result of the USC or Iowa game to extend Rhule. With teams like Penn State lurking, it’s good business to lock him up and see if the arrow keeps pointing up.

And for the first time in a very long time, the arrow is pointing up for Nebraska, which is why an extension for Rhule makes absolute sense.

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