Matt Rhule has fired offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen after Nebraska’s 24-13 loss to Illinois on Saturday, marking Rhule’s third offensive coordinator change in four seasons at the helm. The move comes amid mounting frustration as the Cornhuskers have dropped four of their last five games, failing to score more than 20 points in any defeat.
Holgorsen, who arrived from Texas Tech with experience under Mike Leach’s offensive system, struggled to adapt to the Big Ten’s style and personnel. Rhule hired him despite concerns over his fit, especially given Nebraska’s quarterbacks. The offense was initially built around Dylan Raiola, a quarterback with limited mobility, which clashed with Holgorsen’s approach. After Raiola transferred to Oregon, Nebraska shifted focus to Anthony Colandrea, a more mobile quarterback who recently committed to return for a fifth year in 2027. Yet Holgorsen’s firing signals another impending shift to accommodate a quarterback’s strengths rather than design the offense independently.
Rhule’s tenure at Nebraska has been a bumpy ride. After starting 5-0, the team has since fallen to 5-4, with a string of disappointing losses and defensive struggles compounding the offensive woes. Rhule’s public appearances have grown tense; last week, he opened a press conference with a 20-minute statement that resembled a therapy session and frequently argued with referees. The pressure on Rhule is intensifying as fans grow restless, questioning both the program’s direction and leadership.
The Nebraska fan base is reacting strongly, with some threatening to end the school’s long-standing sellout streak that dates back to 1962. The frustration is amplified by Rhule’s contract, which extends through 2032 and carries a buyout reportedly near $60 million. When Nebraska extended Rhule’s deal last year, it was seen as a commitment to stability, given Rhule’s connections to Penn State and his previous success at Temple and Baylor. Now, the move appears increasingly questionable as the program continues to struggle.
Rhule’s record at Nebraska stands at 24-23, a modest return that has done little to calm the growing dissatisfaction. The program has long sought a breakthrough to restore its reputation, but Rhule has yet to deliver the signature win that could shift momentum. Instead, the pressure mounts each week, with Rhule showing signs of strain without offering a clear path forward.
Holgorsen’s departure underscores the challenges Rhule faces in building an effective offense. The decision to hire an Air Raid-style coordinator from Texas Tech seemed out of step with Nebraska’s Big Ten environment and roster. Adjusting the offense around changing quarterbacks has added complexity, and the instability at offensive coordinator reflects broader issues within the program.
The Cornhuskers now face the task of finding a new offensive coordinator who can work within the existing quarterback framework and improve an offense that has struggled to produce consistent scoring. Whether Rhule remains in Lincoln long enough to make that change is uncertain, given the contract situation and fan unrest.
This season’s struggles have revived comparisons to past difficult periods in Nebraska football history, with some fans recalling the Bo Pelini era as a relatively stable time by contrast. The current state of the program has left supporters angry and vocal, casting a shadow over the remainder of the season.
Rhule’s next steps will be closely watched as the pressure to fix the offense and deliver wins grows. For now, Nebraska’s fan base remains restless, and the search for offensive stability continues.
According to Yahoo Sports.
