Just days after Nebraska improved to 5-1, Husker Nation found itself talking less about wins and more about rumors — specifically, the growing buzz that Matt Rhule could be headed to Penn State following the firing of James Franklin. And while it’s easy to see why fans are nervous — Rhule played at Penn State and still has deep family ties there — the situation isn’t nearly as simple as it sounds.
First, let’s acknowledge the shock of Penn State’s decision.
James Franklin’s firing came after what may
have been one of the worst three-week collapses in recent college football history. The Nittany Lions went from a top-five ranking to losing back-to-back games they were heavily favored in, prompting the university to pull the plug on a coach with a strong overall record but a reputation for failing in big games.
Still, firing Franklin midseason was a stunner.
Now enters Matt Rhule.
On paper, the Penn State job makes sense — he’s an alum, a proven program builder, and a respected figure in the coaching world. But would he actually go? Rhule has repeatedly said how much he loves Lincoln, his wife runs a business there, and he’s still in the process of rebuilding Nebraska into a consistent Big Ten contender.
Yet, as Rhule himself knows, college football is a business — and in that business, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money talks.
That’s the real story behind this rumor.
Penn State likely offers far more NIL resources than Nebraska. The new House settlement allows athletic departments to directly pay players while collectives continue to raise millions more from boosters. If you’re a head coach trying to “buy” top talent in the transfer portal, NIL power can make or break your recruiting success — and that’s the one major edge Penn State holds.
Still, hiring Rhule wouldn’t make perfect sense for Penn State. His record against ranked teams (2–22) is actually worse than Franklin’s, and his reputation is built on rebuilding struggling programs, not maintaining elite ones. Penn State boosters might wonder why they’d fire James Franklin only to hire another coach with the same struggles in marquee matchups. Moreover, coaching “at home” can be overrated — as Rhule himself surely knows, returning to familiar territory often brings unrealistic expectations and personal pressure.
For Nebraska, the possibility of losing Rhule would be a major setback. He’s stabilized the program, assembled a strong staff, and restored belief among fans who’ve endured years of heartbreak. Replacing him now would risk another roster exodus and coaching reset — something this team doesn’t need when momentum is finally building.
So, will Matt Rhule leave Nebraska for Penn State?
Probably not right now. But the rumor underscores a larger truth about modern college football: money, especially NIL money, shapes everything — from recruiting to coaching decisions. For now, Husker fans should focus less on fantasy speculation and more on Friday’s matchup against Minnesota.
It’s always something in Husker Nation. Go Big Red.
