Dylan Raiola isn’t staying quiet while rumors swirl about his head coach potentially leaving Lincoln. The Nebraska freshman quarterback posted a pointed message on Instagram that potentially highlighted what it means for Matt Rhule’s future with the program.
The Instagram story featured an embrace between Raiola and Rhule on the field, accompanied by four telling words: “NEBRASKA HEAD BALL COACH” followed by a lock emoji. The message couldn’t be clearer in Raiola’s eyes: Rhule belongs in Nebraska, not at Penn State or anywhere else.
With Penn State firing James Franklin on Sunday, Rhule has naturally surfaced as a top candidate for the job. Penn State is Rhule’s alma mater, and a place where he met his wife and developed his love for football.
Rhule directly addressed this speculation at a press conference on Monday. He had nothing but positive things to say about Penn State, proclaiming that he is a lifelong fan. Nevertheless, he put to rest all speculation and told Cornhuskers fans that he is committed to building something special at Nebraska.
Coach Rhule speaks about the Penn State HC job opening: pic.twitter.com/mALVQbLjcB
— 247Huskers (@247Huskers) October 13, 2025
Raiola Leads the Charge in Nebraska’s Best Start in Years
The Cornhuskers are 5-1, and they are ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll. This is their best start in years and they are competing for a Big Ten championship, which was unfathomable as recent as one year ago.
Raiola has led the charge so far. The quarterback has thrown for a remarkable 1,591 yards, 16 touchdown passes with just five interceptions. He has completed over 73% of his attempts.
Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola on Matt Rhule: “He ain’t going nowhere.”
On the Penn State speculation, Raiola says: “It’s just people stirring stuff up and making it bigger than it is.”
Raiola adds with a smile that “it doesn’t really matter what he says, his wife loves it here.” pic.twitter.com/Rrv2AD6pmm
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) October 14, 2025
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck said Raiola was “an elite quarterback” in an interview Tuesday. Others have also observed that Raiola plays and carries himself and presents much like Patrick Mahomes.
In a game against Maryland on Saturday, Raiola completed 20 for 29 for 260 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Read More:
- How Does James Franklin’s Contract Buyout Compare With Kirby Smart, Kalen DeBoer, Billy Napier and More? All We Know About Top Coaches’ Earnings
- “Most Scandal-Plagued Eras In CFB History”: Josh Pate Calls Penn State’s Season ‘Dead’ After James Franklin Firing
- Insider Names One Condition Under Which Curt Cignetti Could Leave Indiana To Replace James Franklin at Penn State
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