Sports

Penn State ‘Front-Runner’ Matt Rhule Uses Wife As Diversion From Duplicitous Past

#Matt Rhule
by Last Updated
Matt Rhule at a Nebraska basketball game.

© Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images


Matt Rhule is a top candidate in the Penn State head coaching search according to multiple news outlets. He has been described as the “front-runner” to replace James Franklin.

The Nebraska leader publicly addressed the speculation on Monday. He used his wife as a diversion while discussing his future.

Rhule has been with the Cornhuskers for two-plus seasons. He is in the midst of his best output to date

It’s continued his history of success as a college head coach, which he’s previously buoyed into notable job opportunities.

Matt Rhule doesn’t stay put long.

He started at Temple where he spent four years. Interestingly, that remains his longest tenure with one team.

He left the Owls to coach Baylor in 2017. He’d left the Bears to coach in the NFL by 2020. He then landed at Nebraska after two years with the Carolina Panthers.

That history of job hopping has many skeptical of his commitment to his current employer. Though Nebraska is a college football blue blood, most would consider Penn State a better gig at this point in time.

There is a tradition of winning. There is a financial dedication to success. There is more opportunity to make a national title run given future College Football Playoff formats, which could reward the Big Ten and SEC more than other conferences.

It also happens to be Rhule’s alma mater.

Penn State was not deterred by James Franklin’s massive buyout when opting to fire the head coach. Money is not necessarily an object in Happy Valley. They intend to make a big splash with Franklin’s replacement, which likely means opening up the checkbook.

Matt Rhule is trending as a top target early in the coaching search. He did his best to quiet that noise this week.

“I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come,” he said while speaking to the media. “I’m not going to talk about my contract here… I absolutely love it here. I want to continue to take the steps needed to turn this place into a beast.”

Rhule has gone back on his word before.

The coach attempted to ease concerns about a possible departure from Lincoln. Unfortunately, he has a history of duplicity.

Here’s what was said in his final season at Baylor just before he accepted the role with the Carolina Panthers.

“I’m really committed to being at Baylor. It’s a great, great place. You know, when college jobs have come at me this year I’ve said, ‘Hey, absolutely not.’

“I think anytime an NFL team has called in the past, people have kind of assumed that I wanted to go… I don’t think that’s the time or place for me right now.”

-Matt Rhule

The response was eerily similar to what was said about Nebraska amid the Penn State speculation. To divert attention from his past and provide further evidence of his commitment to the Cornhuskers, Rhule pulled out the big guns.

He referenced his wife.

Rhule says that the Penn State interest is a product of Nebraska’s success, which he intends to continue building on. He says his wife will ensure that decision is made.

Those familiar with his history of jumping spots still have their doubts. It will be interesting to see how long his name stays at the top of Penn State’s list.