Matt Rhule reveals his priority for Nebraska's spring practices

Nebraska doesn’t start spring practice until March 20, but it’s never too early to start the conversation. First-year Huskers’ head coach Matt Rhule was recently asked what his top priorities would be for his new squad in spring practice, laying out the keys to success for the program this offseason.

“We came into the offseason feeling like we wanted to build strength and mobility, I think we have,” Rhule said. “Feeling like we wanted to learn the process that we’re going to undertake and to build a sense of brotherhood amongst the team. I think we’ve made a lot of steps in that direction, I think now it’s just time, that process, take that over into football.”

The Cornhuskers have been hard at work this offseason, lifted and running, but also competing with each other. Which is an area that Rhule believes his team has their bases fully covered in.

“In our program practice is everything, it’s the most important thing we do. Whereas people focus on the results, we try to focus on the things control which is the way that we practice, the attention to detail. And what I’m finding with this team is they’re highly highly highly competitive, but sometimes the small details, as do with most 18 to 22-year-olds, they get away from us a little bit,” Rhule explained.

Rhule’s prioritization of practice and the competitiveness of his new squad sounds like a match made in heaven, but channeling that into detail and discipline is a top priority for Rhule and his coaching staff this spring.

“So can we take our sense of competitiveness, our toughness, this is a tough group, can we take that competitiveness and that toughness and carry it over onto the football field?” Rhule asked. “And also add in precession and detail, if we can be really competitive and tough but also detailed and precise we have a chance.”

It will be a few more weeks before Rhule gets to see his new team in action when they take the field for the first time, which Rhule eager to see and coach as well.

“And so I’m anxious to start that process on the football field with the guys. And then it’s our job to help each player find a way to get on the field and be in the right position, so try to teach those guys as best we can,” Rhule concluded.