PJ Fleck shows respect for Nebraska, rekindling rivalry with Matt Rhule

PJ Fleck is ready to rekindle a rivalry with a coach he has immense respect for in Matt Rhule.

Fleck and Rhule faced off back in the day, when Fleck was at Western Michigan, and Rhule was leading the Temple Owls. Now with both coaches in the Big Ten, Fleck leading the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and Rhule entering his first season with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the duo will coach against each other again.

They won’t have to wait long, as Minnesota will host Nebraska on Thursday, Aug. 31 for their first game of the season. At Big Ten Media Days, Fleck waxed poetic regarding Rhule, and the opportunity to start the season against the Cornhuskers.

“I’ve known Coach Rhule for a long time, I have a ton of respect for what he’s done. We go back to the Western Michigan days for me, and the Temple days for him. He’s a phenomenal football coach with a phenomenal culture. His culture is all about connectivity,” explained the Minnesota leader. “Anytime you’re opening with a Big Ten opponent, you know it’s always going to be a tough matchup, especially when you have a coaching staff like he has, and a team like he has.

“I’ve always had a ton of respect for Nebraska, our team always has. Starting Big Ten play right away, that really kind of gets the season off to an exciting start right away. It’s going to be a fun environment, Huntington Bank Stadium, and we’re looking forward to it.”

Alas, Rhule will be looking to replicate the success Fleck has found at Minnesota. While the resources will be greater at Nebraska, it all comes down to the coaching, and Fleck has done a heck of a job, but there’s no reason to doubt Rhule’s abilities to potentially match him.

Nevertheless, we’ll learn a lot about both squads come the last night in August. That’s a money game for the Big Ten, in what will be a huge year for the conference, and there will be plenty of eyes around America on that showdown.

Time will tell, but it looks like opening week will be the first of many showdown between PJ Fleck and Matt Rhule in the Big Ten. Whether Minnesota or Nebraska gets the victory remains to be seen, but there’s a ton on the line when the season finally begins.