Nebraska has signed head coach Matt Rhule to a two-year contract extension, ensuring his tenure extends through the 2032 season. This decision, confirmed by sources to ESPN, includes a significant increase in Rhule’s buyout, raising it from $5 million to $15 million for the current season. This adjustment effectively removes Rhule from consideration for other coaching positions during this hiring cycle.
Rhule’s commitment to Nebraska aligns with his family’s happiness in Lincoln, where he is currently in his third season as head coach. Under his leadership, Nebraska boasts a 6-2 record this year and made its first bowl game appearance since 2016. Rhule has consistently expressed optimism regarding the potential of the Nebraska football program.
Contract Details and Implications
The new contract does not alter Rhule’s base salary, which remains $8.5 million this season. However, it introduces an innovative clause: for every time Nebraska qualifies for the College Football Playoff (CFP), Rhule’s base salary will increase by $1 million for each remaining year of the contract. Overall, the deal has an average annual value exceeding $11.7 million, positioning him among the highest-paid college coaches.
The extension maintains a substantial guarantee of 90 percent throughout its duration. As part of the agreement, Rhule will receive $12.5 million in each of the two additional years, mirroring the final year of his previous contract set for 2030. Notably, in 2027, his salary is projected to reach $11 million, including retention bonuses.
This extension also removes another prominent candidate from the pool of potential hires for eight power conference jobs currently available this season. Rhule had previously been linked to the head coaching position at his alma mater, Penn State.
Rhule’s Coaching Journey and Future Outlook
Nebraska’s decision to extend Rhule comes at a pivotal moment, as the program appears to be on track for its best season in nearly a decade. The last time Nebraska achieved back-to-back bowl games was in 2016, with a 9-4 record under former coach Mike Riley. Rhule was hired in November 2022 after a challenging stretch of five consecutive losing seasons under Scott Frost.
Prior to his time at Nebraska, Rhule was dismissed by the Carolina Panthers but arrived with an impressive track record as a college coach. His previous successes include winning the American Athletic Conference title at Temple University in 2016 and leading Baylor University through a significant rebuild, culminating in a Sugar Bowl appearance following the 2019 season.
While Rhule was initially brought on board by Trev Alberts, the athletic director at the time, he has now secured this extension under the leadership of Troy Dannen, the current athletic director. As Nebraska continues to rebuild its football program, Rhule’s long-term vision and commitment may well play a crucial role in revitalizing the Cornhuskers’ legacy in college football.
