Matt Rhule reveals the first step toward Nebraska's championship mindset

When Matt Rhule stepped up to the podium for the first time at Big Ten Media Days this week, he told the group of reporters — and those watching on the Big Ten Network — about his long-term plan at Nebraska. It might not happen overnight, but he made it quite clear he wants the Cornhuskers to look like the teams of years past under Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne and Frank Solich.

“There was a time when Nebraska football was feared,” Rhule said. “And we certainly want to get back to that.”

To get there, though, it will take time. That’s why Rhule’s first year as the Huskers head coach will be so important.

Rhule further explained what he meant during his second session with reporters at Lucas Oil Stadium. He remembers those years when Nebraska won five national championships, including three between 1994-97 under Osborne. Rhule’s first season will be all about laying the foundation to get back to those levels.

“For me, when I think about Nebraska, I just think about that helmet,” Rhule said. “It’s iconic, to me, all across college football what that means. Are we being talked about right now? Are people talking about — I’m not talking about Nebraska. I’m talking about nationally. So for me, this is about us as a program from the way we practice to the way we travel to the way we carry ourselves. I told [sports information director] Keith Mann, I wanted to be the first guy here this morning. I just want us to do everything better than everyone else.”

Matt Rhule: I want fans to come to games ‘and know they’re going to see a good football team’

Nebraska has sold out a record 389 straight home games. But the last few years haven’t been easy for Husker fans. NU hasn’t had a winning season since 2016 under Mike Riley and the Scott Frost era didn’t go well, to the tune of a 16-31 record.

Still, the dedicated Cornhuskers fans showed up and filled Memorial Stadium. Rhule certainly noticed, which is why he doesn’t want them to solely come out because of their love for the Huskers. He wants them to also be excited to see winning football.

“I don’t want our fans coming to the games just because they love Nebraska,” Rhule said. “I want them coming because they love Nebraska and they know they’re going to see a good football team. There’s a lot on us that we have to do. If we’re making progress towards that, then people will respect who we are, our players will respect who we are, our opponents will respect who we are. And that’s the first step towards a championship mindset.”

Rhule will have a chance to show what he’s accomplished during his first offseason at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers open the 2023 season in a big way against Minnesota.