Report: Nebraska offers Matt Rhule, 'optimistic' deal will be reached

We’re learning more about the negotiations between Nebraska and former Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule about the Cornhuskers’ head coaching job. There’s reportedly a deal on the table.

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman and Mitch Sherman reported Nebraska has officially offered the job to Rhule. The news came out in the third quarter of the Cornhuskers’ regular-season finale against Iowa, and the hope is a deal can come together in the coming days.

Additionally, Feldman and Sherman had more details about how negotiations have gone over the last month, especially with the transfer portal window opening in a couple weeks. A report from CBS Sports previously said Rhule turned down the Nebraska job, and the duo confirmed the Cornhuskers previously offered him the spot. However, Trev Alberts returned with a stronger package this week, and that’s when things really started heating up.

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Nebraska has been in search of a full-time head coach since firing Scott Frost Sept. 11. Mickey Joseph has served as the interim coach since then, and it appears Alberts and the Cornhuskers are locked in on their next headman. Earlier Friday, ESPN reported has “zeroed in” on Rhule as its top target.

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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.

On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this report.