Nebraska coach and Penn State alum Matt Rhule sidestepped speculation he was interested in returning to his old stomping grounds days after James Franklin was fired as head coach of the Nittany Lions.
“Maybe it’s been awhile here, but this is what happens when you win. I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come. I’m not going to talk about my contract here,” Rhule said Monday. “I absolutely love it here. I want to continue to take the steps needed to turn this place into a beast.”
Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) is No. 25 and in the AP poll for the first time this season, but began last year with the same record before winding up 7-6.
“I love Penn State. Met my wife there. It’s my alma mater. Probably had a Penn State shirt since I was born. I love (athletic director) Pat Kraft,” Rhule said. I’m really sad, really sad to see Coach Franklin go. When you think about what he did for my alma mater.
“I love that place. I love James Franklin. But I’m really happy here and excited to get going this week on Minnesota.”
Rhule, who lost three games to Penn State and Franklin from 2014-16 while serving as Temple’s head coach, said he has a great relationship with Cornhuskers athletic director Troy Dannen, and they are in “constant contact” about what it will take to keep Nebraska on a winning track.
Then again, Penn State’s Kraft served as Temple’s AD during Rhule’s time at the university.
“Troy and I are in an unbelievable relationship too. Troy and I are in constant, constant, constant communication about this program and where we’re headed,” Rhule said. “I came here for two reasons. I love the community here and wanted to live here. And I love it here. And I wanted to rebuild Nebraska football. Troy and I understand the steps you need to take to be Big Ten champions, national champions.”
Rhule was 28-23 at Temple when Baylor hired him away. After two seasons and a 19-20 record, the NFL’s Carolina Panthers made a massive offer to bring him to Charlotte. Rhule was fired after going 11-27.
He is 17-14 at Nebraska with an 8-13 Big Ten record.
Penn State (3-3, 0-3) fired Franklin on Sunday after a third consecutive loss. The Nittany Lions were 3-0 and ranked in the top 5 before the skid began with a loss to Oregon followed by a shocking upset at UCLA. Northwestern beat Penn State, 22-21, on Saturday.
