Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule walks to the stadium.
The Nebraska football team lost in gut-wrenching fashion for a third straight time last Saturday. The Cornhuskers blew a fourth quarter lead vs. Washington. They eventually fell by a touchdown.
Matt Rhule spoke about the game in a recent press conference. He shared a negative interaction with a fan after the loss. In doing so, he proved that he’s losing supporters.
Rhule has failed to live up to expectations across four seasons in Lincoln. He’s gone 24-22 since being hired. That includes a 12-20 mark in Big Ten play.
The head coach was brought to Nebraska in 2023 after being fired by the Carolina Panthers. He boasts a strong resume of turning around college programs after successful stints at Baylor and Temple.
The Cornhuskers opened up the checkbook to get their guy. They then doubled down in order to keep him put.
Rhule was given a new contract in 2025 despite having an 18-15 record as Nebraska’s football coach. He was extended through 2032 with an annual salary of $8.5 million. That number bumps to $12.5 million in his final two seasons.
The new deal was a response to supposed interest from Penn State, Rhule’s alma mater. Since signing the contract, the coach is just 6-7. He has still not beat a ranked opponent in Lincoln. He is not earning his massive income.
Fans have turned on Matt Rhule.
Nebraska led 7-3, with Washington facing a 4th & 18 with the game on the line.
Under 60 seconds later, Huskies score 14 points and Nebraska fans are throwing trash on the field.
My goodness, I got nothing https://t.co/obCTH9fIDl
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) November 1, 2026
It was very evident in the team’s most recent matchup vs. Washington. The Cornhuskers were outscored 14-3 in the final two minutes of regulation. For a third straight game, they blew a fourth quarter lead.
As the Huskies sealed the game with a pick six, Nebraska fans threw trash on the field.
The fanbase is passionate. It is beginning to turn on Matt Rhule. The results do not match the investment.
Nebraska fans are known to be some of the nicest in college football. That was not the case on Saturday. Rhule says they attacked one of their own after the loss. One angry supporter cussed out the head coach’s 13-year-old daughter.
“F you and F your dad.”
Matt Rhule and his 13 year old daughter experienced an ugly interaction with a fan after the loss to Washington on Saturday night.
Rhule shares how he and his family have responded to it. https://t.co/dehbDcwe5N
— Hail Varsity (@HailVarsity) November 2, 2026
In the past, Rhule has applauded the fanbase for its nice manners. “My two daughters sit in the stands — and they can’t do that everywhere,” he said last year. “They can do that at Nebraska because the people here are the best people in the world. Our fans are elite.”
On Saturday, at least one fan was anything but respectful to his daughter. Frustrations are clearly beginning mount. Calls for his job have surfaced. Late collapses are becoming a trend.
Nebraska has been outscored 39-10 in the fourth quarter of its last three games. They’ve lost all three by a combined 13 points.
College Football Playoff hopes are all but done. Heat is cranking up on Matt Rhule’s seat. A $63 million buyout is all that’s saving him.
Nebraska appears destined for another middling season despite a 5-0 start. Rhule is beginning to alienate a fanbase that’s now attacking his family. If the losses continue to pile up, all support will be lost.