Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule showed why he truly belongs as a college football coach in a state like Nebraska. In an interview that certainly went over the originally intended time, Matt Rhule talked about what he loves about coaching at the college level, the current state of NIL, and what he felt was the most important aspect of the season.
Nebraska Cornhuskers NIL and 1890 Initiative
Coming onto the show, after some technical difficulties, McAfee thought the show would be about his viral speeches, and that it would be a short in and out 10 minute ordeal. It turned into a much more involved discussion about what we enjoy about college football, and an ongoing area of concern.
His number one concern of the new NIL world is the possibility, and occurring issue of players simply being promised money, with nothing protecting students athletes to ensure that promises are actually followed through on. There is currently no oversight, or way for the colleges to directly help to make sure that any agreements are binding or insured.
With some NIL agents, earning over 20% of the earnings, and some seemingly vastly under qualified people involved, it leads some to believe that athletes are being taken advantage of. It was brought up on the McAfee show that one agent was able to secure an agreement with a similar high percentage for all life time football earnings, when the common number is closer to being around 3% for all professional athletes.
We should be fighting for players to make money, but also not get screwed along the way.
The way Coach Rhule explained this, and brought up how the 1890 Initiative helps Nebraska Cornhusker student athletes, any recruit would have to feel comfortable and secure, knowing that the program has their best interests in mind.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Coach Path to Lincoln
Having recently been fired from the Panthers, Rhule wanted to take a step back for a year, but he knew that coaching would always be his calling, saying that if he would be a position coach at the high school level if needed.
He said that coming to Nebraska was about his vision lining up with Trev Alberts. When entering a long term agreement Rhule explained that you need, “A guy that understands what it takes to win, you need a good partner.” Hearing this, it sounds like an endorsement of the athletic department at Nebraska. But it also sounds like something else.
While he would likely publicly deny this, though it sounds like he has hinted at this numerous times, he, the ownership, and front office were just not on the same page in Carolina. Here, he is is enjoying the process of developing players, establishing four plus year relationships, and helping guide them onto a successful career path.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Touching, Meaningful Tribute
One of best moments from the season, without a doubt was the stirring speech he gave as his team wore a pink ribbon to honor all victims of breast cancer. Being a member in the community, with close family members who have also fought the battle against breast cancer, he showed some of the best qualities of him as a person and why he fits in with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Ethan Piper had been declared out for the game, after an injury and did not dress, but Matt Rhule saw his mom, Mrs. Piper, pre game and asked her to join them in the tunnel. While many coaches would be preoccupied with other team business or talking with assistant coaches, Rhule instead chose to make sure she was a part of the moment. He reminded the players about the bigger picture, and about the sacrifice, and battles other have fought to put them in a position to compete in the sport that they love on the field.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Program
Before ending the interview, Coach Rhule stated that he wanted to win, “In a way that honors the state of Nebraska, and in a way that honors college football.” Safe to say that he has accomplished this year one, and is looking forward to putting in the work needed to continue to build off of the right foundation.