I knew I didn’t have 12 hours of football in me Saturday morning, but I damned sure wanted to get in about 8 along with some 2nd round Huskers volleyball action. First off, it was #2 favorite team, Georgia
– ok, let’s call them 1A after my beloved Huskers – exacting revenge on Alabama for an earlier loss 28-7 in then SEC title game. Gunner was tabbed as the MVP, and he did have an excellent day in a conservative attack, but the award probably should’ve gone to the entire defense.
Next, NCAA volleyball and the B1G title game kicked off at the same time and at Tiger Tom’s sports pub, that meant Harper Murray and company were on the center screen and #1 Ohio State vs. #2 Indiana on the side TV’s to start. The Huskers cruised in three sets, and then Indiana pulled out a Big 10 as hell 13-10 victory. Finally, attention then turned to Duke taking out Virginia in OT 27-20 to finish at an unranked 8-5 and likely leave the entire P4 ACC out of the CFP.
The Huskers? They were busy, too. Well, not necessarily actively as Matt Rhule was reportedly (but unconfirmed to be fair) in Omaha attending one of his daughters’ basketball game as the news steadily dropped, but throughout the afternoon, it became apparent the wheels had been set in motion long before breaking news alerts at press releases began to fly.
Donovan Raiola Out
In a move which drew mixed reviews from fans, Donovan Raiola was ousted from his position as Nebraska’s offensive line coach after a four season tenure. He came under intense fire once conference play started in 2025, especially after disastrous performances in losses to Michigan and Minnesota in which 14 total sacks were given up as well as 5 more in a win vs. Michigan St. He appeared to right the ship as the line only allowed 5 sacks in the final five games as injuries mounted. They also had one of the nation’s highest yards before contact in the run game while plowing the way for Emmett Johnson’s record-breaking season.
In the end, slow starts to seasons, especially in 2025 with an older experienced O-line, outweighed the measured improvements by seasons’ ends. An hour or so after news began breaking early-mid afternoon, the athletic department released the following statement from Matt Rhule:
“I informed Donovan Raiola today that he will not be retained as our offensive line coach. We thank Donovan for his contributions to Nebraska Football over the past four years and wish him the best moving forward.”
More on Raiola below.
Georgia Tech’s Geep Wade Reportedly Hired as Raiola’s Replacement
Within an hour of the above announcement, multiple outlets began reporting that Georgia Tech Offensive Line Coach was being hired to assume the now-vacant position at Nebraska. As of this publication, the Nebraska Athletic Department has not sent out a similar release confirming Wade’s hiring, so details of the contract may still be getting hammered out.
He is still listed on Tech’s website and, per his bio, he has been coaching offensive lines in the southeast since 2002. He has been at Georgia Tech since 2023 and his 3-year tenure would tie him for his longest stint at any stop in his 24 years. In 2023 and 2024 Georgia led the ACC in both rushing yards and fewest sacks allowed in a run-heavier offense (55% runs), but nowhere near the level of their of the Yellow Jackets’ wishbone years.
(We will publish confirmation of the hire once received.)
What Will Dylan Do?
Unfounded rumors of Dylan Raiola’s impending entry into the transfer portal have been running even more rampant since his injury. T.J. Lateef’s less than stellar play in the final two games slowed things a little, until CBS revived them with no evidence the week prior to their broadcast of the Nebraska – Iowa game.
The announcement of his uncle’s firing have put them into overdrive once again, obviously. And if you want confirmation, a quick visit to social media will give you thoughts of dozens to hundreds of people who are privy to every discussion happening the Nebraska locker room and Dylan’s inner circle as well as his parents’ home. These were likely CBS’s sources as well, so take them with a grain of salt.
Some are suggesting that both he AND Lateef will transfer, which is beyond odd, but bait is needed for clicks until bowl practices start Monday, so here we are. Thus far, the transfers and opt-outs are well behind the storm which followed Tony White’s immediate departure after last season, but any further announcements should happen soon.
As far as Raiola? I do not know. What I know is he has been attending practices, where he works with T.J., all meetings, assists with game planning and is still fully involved in all team activities. Lateef has referred to him as his “big brother”. Raiola, who wasn’t allowed to travel to UCLA or Penn State against his protests was on the field for the Iowa game firing up teammates and the crowd. For comparison, before transferring to Miami, Carson Beck reported cut off all communication with teammates and coaches immediately following the SEC title game last season.
Things may change this coming week. And they may not. But until things unfold further, the actions so far do not appear to be those of someone with one foot out the door.
Wade vs. Raiola in 2025
For fun, let’s dig around in the 2025 offensive line stats for both coaches.
Rushing Offense (Nationally/Conference)
Wade – 19th/2nd
Raiola – 81st/10th
Sacks Allowed
Wade – 4th/1st
Raiola – 105th/15th
Total Offense
Wade – 12th/2nd
Raiola – 81st/9th
Yards per Carry
Wade – 10th/1st
Raiola – 77th/11th
Throw in Wade’s 2023 and ‘24 numbers and it looks like a solid hire, even allowing for Big 10 defenses being on another level from the ACC.
Nebraska DC Search Continues
In other news, Matt Rhule and the Huskers had reportedly targeted Toledo Defensive Coordinator Vince Kehres as a replacement for John Butler. His defense was ranked 3rd in the country in yards allowed and 4th in scoring defense. Even in the current turmoil following two blowout losses to end the regular season at 7-5, Nebraska appeared to be the more attractive job, but Kehres took the same position at Syracuse under HC Fran Brown.
It is unknown, but may have been a case of Nebraska choosing to look elsewhere. Rhule’s search continues, and while some fans are concerned he will end up offering the position to current Associate Head Coach Phil Snow, who has served under him in that position previously, Rhule did not seem interested in that scenario when asked about it at his signing day presser last Wednesday, although he stated he is keeping all options open.
