Matt Rhule addresses resignation of Bob Wager

Early in the Matt Rhule era, Nebraska is seeing coaching turnover. Tight ends coach Bob Wager resigned on Friday after a short stint in Lincoln. Wager had multiple driving citations, including a DUI arrest with a BAC nearly double the legal limit.

Rhule addressed Wager’s resignation, speaking highly of the former tight ends coach. He was impressed with how Wager handled the situation from the get-go. Before moving on from the topic, he wished Wager well in whatever comes next.

“Really grateful for him for the time he spent here,” Rhule said. “Unfortunate situation, I know he took responsibility for it. I appreciate him doing that. Not a lot of men would handle it the way he did. I don’t judge people by their tough moments or worst moments.

“I judge them on how they respond. I really appreciate him and I’m thankful for him. It was a short time but he brought some recruits here, he brought some of his kids here. So, I appreciate him and wish him and his family the best. He’s a great coach, I know he’ll do great things.”

Rhule hired Wager in the hopes of being able to recruit the state of Texas well. Wager was previously the head coach of Arlington Martin High School, a program that produces multiple Power Five prospects on a yearly basis in the North Texas area.

Two Arlington (TX) Martin products wound up signing with Nebraska in the 2023 cycle, with On3 Industry Ranking three-star tight end Ismael Smith Flores being the highest rated. Three-star wide receiver Jeremiah Charles was the other following a solid season in Texas’ highest classification.

As for the process of hiring someone to replace Wager, Rhule says they are not going to be in any kind of rush. There is a chance somebody from inside the program receives a promotion but outside of that, not much of an update from Rhule.

“We don’t want to move too quickly,” Rhule said. “I always say ‘Hurry up and wait.’… We’ll probably at some point — whether it’s internally — we’ll probably hire somebody.”

Rhule does not have too long to make a decision on a replacement. Nebraska opens the 2023 regular season on Aug. 31, facing off against Minnesota in a Big Ten West showdown. The following week will be the renewal of a rivalry against Colorado.

Both should prove to be huge tests at the beginning of Rhule’s time in Lincoln.