Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule was immediately linked to the Penn State head coaching job following James Franklin’s dismissal from the Nittany Lions on Sunday. Rhule was an obvious link to PSU, as he played linebacker for the program from 1994-1997 and has connections to athletic director Patrick Kraft, who hired him as the head coach of Temple in 2013.
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During an appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, Rhule tried to shut down any rumors of his leaving Nebraska, saying he was focused on the remainder of the regular season.
“I refuse to be distracted at the same time,” Rhule said. “It’s when it’s your alma mater, you have to show it love and respect. And I hope, and I love Pat Kraft, they’ll find the right coach for them, whoever that is.”
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Rhule wants to make Nebraska a “national bully.”
“This is a destination job,” Rhule said of Nebraska. “This is one of the greatest places in the world. (Lincoln) is a town of 300,000 people… Like, I can do whatever I want. Here I have a great young team, the youngest team in the Big Ten. Think about how good we’ll be next year… Think about where we’re going to go with (quarterback) Dylan (Raiola) and all these guys.”
The No. 25 Cornhuskers blew a chance to show they belonged in the College Football Playoff this season when they were upset by Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium. Nebraska’s offense struggled on Friday night, with the Golden Gophers outgaining the Cornhuskers 339-213 in total yards.
Nebraska managed just two field goals in a 24-6 loss to Minnesota.
College football fans on social media made jokes about the Rhule-Penn State connection amid the upset.
“And just like that…Nobody at Penn state wants matt rhule anymore,” wrote a fan.
“Matt Rhule decided telling Nebraska fans he won’t be Penn State’s head coach wasn’t enough – he needed to show them,” posted another.
“Pat Kraft is gonna preemptively fire Matt Rhule after watching this offense,” joked a fan.
“The good news for Husker fans is that this should cool all that Matt Rhule to Penn State talk,” posted a fan.
“At least I don’t need to worry about Penn State hiring Matt Rhule anymore,” wrote another.
“If Matt Rhule was auditioning for the Penn State job tonight, he probably shouldn’t have broken out his best James Franklin impression,” argued a fan.
Regardless of the loss, Penn State will likely continue to be tied to Rhule in the early part of the coaching search.
Nebraska will next host Northwestern in Week 9.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
