ESPN report: Nebraska has 'zeroed in' on Matt Rhule as its next head coach

Nebraska was the first team to get the coaching carousel going this season after the firing of Scott Frost. Now, it seems they may be the first team on the ride to have a new coach named.

That’s because, per Chris Low at ESPN, the Cornhuskers have ‘zeroed in’ on Matt Rhule to be the program’s next head coach. The goal for both sides is to have a deal in place ‘in the coming days’.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

Rhule just spent the last two-plus seasons with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. He was relieved earlier this season, though, after posting just an 11-27 record. That came after accomplishing two rebuilding jobs at Temple and Baylor in his seven seasons in college football between 2013 and 2019.

Frost was let go three games into the season following a 1-2 start, including a 45-42 loss to Georgia Southern. That was the final nail in the coffin of his 16-31 record over his five years in Lincoln. Mickey Joseph then took over as the program’s interim head coach and has led them to a 2-6 record since.

Rhule’s name has been one of the hottest names near the top of every coaching search in the country since he became available again. However, it seems he’ll be off the market here soon with Nebraska hiring him to get their program back on track.

Mickey Joseph, Nebraska hope to play spoiler against Iowa

At 3-8, Nebraska doesn’t have anything tangible to play for. The Cornhuskers don’t have a bowl, they don’t have a Big Ten West crown. Instead, they have things like pride. They want to send Mickey Joseph, the interim head coach, out on a high note. Perhaps most importantly, Nebraska wants to play the role of spoiler for rival Iowa.

Mickey Joseph confirmed that much while speaking to the media in the week leading up to the game.

“Yeah, they can be the spoiler,” Mickey Joseph said. “Yeah, we talked about that, and I think it’s the next game and I know it’s a rivalry game.”

“So, I know they’re going to be up for it. They’re going to come out and play at full force this game.”