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Trev Alberts details talks with Mickey Joseph after hiring Matt Rhule

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•11/28/22
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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 01: Athletic Director Trev Alberts of the Nebraska Cornhuskers greets interim head coach Mickey Joseph on the field before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on October 1, 2022 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts had a tough decision on his hands when it came to selecting the next head coach of the football program. Ultimately Matt Rhule beat out a list of candidates, including interim head coach Mickey Joseph. However, there were some that wondered whether or not Joseph had a fighting chance at becoming the Cornhuskers’ next head coach. Alberts recently addressed that topic and provided insight on why Rhule was the guy for Nebraska.

“Yes, as we said at the press conference, he had the benefit of being a head coach for nine games,” said Alberts. “And I continued meeting with Mickey weekly. Then, ultimately as a process, we sat down, and he walked me through his vision. And Mickey’s an outstanding coach, and he’s got a huge and bright future in the business. We’ll see whether it continues here. Obviously, coach Rhule wants to sit down with him.

“I have so much respect for Mickey Joseph and what he’s done for our program; our players do as well. But for me, looking at where our program is today and perhaps some of it is risk mitigation if you will; having somebody that has built a program multiple times at multiple levels under difficult circumstances. Matt Rhule was the coach that was the most obvious choice for me.”

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Rhule will be the latest to attempt to rebuild the Cornhuskers football program. As for Joseph, he may not have won he head coaching job, but only time will tell whether he chooses to stay at his alma mater or try his hand elsewhere.

Matt Rhule signs eight-year, $74 million contract with Nebraska

Nebraska and Rhule agreed to an eight-year, $74 million deal, it was announced during Monday’s introductory press conference. This puts him in the top level of head coaches in the Big Ten, competing with the likes of Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and Ryan Day at Ohio State.

Arguably more important, Rhule will have a $7 million assistant pool to work with. Some of the hires have already been reported on and announced, as the Cornhuskers begin a new era in Lincoln with Rhule at the helm.

As Rhule continues to fill out the staff, he will need to hit the ground running. The NCAA transfer portal will be opening on Sunday while recruiting never stops in college football. An important month is ahead of the Nebraska program, even if it’s early.