Dana Holgorsen to call plays and serve as offensive coordinator for Nebraska during rest of season, Matt Rhule announces

Needing an offensive spark, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has made a massive change, announcing Dana Holgorsen as the team’s offensive coordinator and play-caller effective immediately.

Marcus Satterfield, who held those roles previously this season, remains on the staff as tight ends coach, also part of his previous role, Rhule said.

Nebraska, which ranks 99th nationally in scoring offense (23.6 ppg), takes on USC on Saturday in Los Angeles. The Huskers, losers of three straight games, enter with a record of 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten, while the Trojans stand at 4-5 and 2-5.

Nebraska hasn’t qualified for a bowl game since 2016. It needs one more win to do so this season.

“I think (Holgorsen) gives us a fresh perspective,” Rhule said of the former West Virginia and Houston head coach, who’s excelled as an offensive coordinator at various stops.

Rhule said he hopes to retain Holgorsen after this season, but it’s also possible Holgorsen could land a head-coaching job or some other job.

“I think so many things we’re doing are trending in the right direction, but (offense) is an area we need to improve,” the coach said.

He added, “This is a great opportunity to have one of the great offensive minds in our program.”

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Rhule initially brought in Holgorsen to consult

Holgorsen, a 53-year-old Iowa native, arrived in Lincoln last week for a consulting role on offense, with former Baylor and Temple assistant Phil Snow helping Rhule’s defense.

Holgorsen quickly became comfortable with the situation, and now he’s full-bore into the job.

“It’s probably unique,” Rhule said of this sort of change occurring with three regular-season games remaining. “It’s the right thing.”

Added Rhule, “I called (Holgorsen) last week and had him come in, had him kind of look at everything. He has a long history of success offensively both as a head coach but certainly as a coordinator. I think he gives us a fresh perspective in looking at what we’re doing and who we’re doing it with.”

Rhule describes Holgorsen as a friend and someone he trusts.

“I’m excited to see what he does,” Rhule said.

Rhule also noted that starting quarterback Dylan Raiola, who suffered a back/hip injury November 2 against UCLA, “will try to practice tomorrow. We’ll see where he’s at.” In the meantime, junior Heinrich Haarberg, a starter last season, guides the No. 1 offense in practice.

Rhule has significant history with Holgorsen

As for Holgorsen, Rhule noted his coached against him in the Big 12 while Rhule was at Baylor and Holgorsen was West Virginia’s head coach.

“I saw the evolution of what he did there, in terms of going to a cold-weather place and running the football and still being explosive,” said Rhule, adding, “We’re represented by the same people (Athletes First), so we see each other around a few places. He’s friends of my wife and I and came to Charlotte quite a bit (when Rhule coached the Carolina Panthers).

“Just someone I respect as a coach.”

The University of Houston fired Holgorsen as its head coach in November of 2023 after he experienced three losing seasons in his five years at the helm. This season, Holgorsen had been working in an consultant/advisory role for TCU before he began helping Rhule.

Rhule said he didn’t necessarily bring Holgorsen to Lincoln with an immediate move to play-caller in mind. However, Rhule noted the success Nick Saban had at Alabama with play-callers such as Lane Kiffin and Bill O’Brien, and it’s clear Rhule would like to keep Holgorsen on staff for good if it works out.

But, let’s face it, Nebraska’s offense needs immediate help.

“This is not about next year,” Rhule said. “This is about right now.”

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