Nebraska’s Matt Rhule settled into his position as Cornhusker head coach at the same time NIL and the transfer portal took over college sports.
But Rhule said he is focused on just one thing — making players better.
Matt Rhule Outlines Nebraska’s Strategy for the 2025 Spring Transfer Window
While NIL is a factor in transfers, Rhule made it clear to the media he’s not involved in such negotiations. And while Rhule didn’t lay out a specific plan publicly, his strategy is clearly working, as the Cornhuskers rank 37th in the 2025 transfer cycle, according to On3.
“I’m going to still coach the guys as if it is 10 years ago,” Rhule said. “In terms of I’m going to meet with every player after spring and talk about what they need to do to become a great player. I put up a picture of Cam Jurgens the other day for the guys.
“Like I did a photo display and the first picture was him in spandex at a Coach [Scott] Frost or Go Big Red camp, and they didn’t even fit. Then it was him while he was here, then him at pro day, the transition, right. Did 16-year-old Cam Jurgens know that someday, he would sign an extension for $69 million? I don’t know, but he stayed in the process.
“My job, when I meet with the guys after spring ball, is always to tell them ‘This is what I think you need to do.’ I’m accessible 24/7. I’m happy to talk to guys. I don’t talk to guys about money. I don’t talk to guys about money. I don’t think that’s good business. I think my conversations with guys should be about football.
“[General Manager] Pat [Stewart] and [Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Intelligence] Sean [Padden] are here to talk about the financial piece when there’s a financial component. There’s a reason why I have an agent. If there’s something in my contract, I don’t want to start having those conversations. I’m not adept at that.
“So, yeah, guys can come talk to us anytime. Guys have come in to me and some guys have asked ‘Where do you think I fit? Where am I at in the 105?’ I’ve been honest with everyone. I’ve told them I’m here for them at any point this week. I have two rules. I don’t want to talk about any other players.
“I didn’t get into college football to be in this business of paying different people. It is what it is, and I’m happy they’re getting stuff, but it is hard. He’s getting one amount and you’re getting another. That can be very hard for guys. I’m not here to talk badly about another player on the team, and I’m not here to spend a lot of time talking about money.”
KEEP READING: Nebraska Spring Game: Key Takeaways as Matt Rhule Pulls Spring Game Shock With Live Scrimmage for Lower Unit Players
“I’m here to talk about football. Pat and those guys will talk about the money but we won’t talk about other guys. It’s on a person-by-person basis. If a guy wants to talk to me if a guy is thinking about going into the portal. Early on, the first time through the portal, I probably didn’t understand exactly how to do it.
“I’ve had players come in and say to me, ‘Coach, I’ve got three head coaches calling my mom, telling her I should go here. What should I do?’ I’m not saying they are, but kids feel all kinds of pressure and I just do my best to tell them ‘I know how it feels, here’s where I see you.’”
“So, it’s kind of fluid… There’s no set way to do this in my mind in terms of each player, so it’s kind of on a case-by-case basis. But we do meet with every player after spring to talk about what they need to do. Even if you’re in the 105, even if you’re a starter, you’re trying to accelerate and develop.”
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
