The coaching carousel is spinning furiously, and at its heart is Nebraska coach Matt Rhule’s undeniable affection for his alma mater, Penn State. Following James Franklin’s dismissal, Rhule has emerged as a prime candidate, but the question remains: is he the visionary leader the Nittany Lions need, or merely a charismatic echo of their recently departed coach?
The firing of James Franklin from Penn State has ignited a firestorm of speculation, and one name has dominated the conversation: Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule. His ties to the Nittany Lions run deep, and his public statements have done little to quell the rumors, prompting fans to wonder if Happy Valley is truly his next destination.
Rhule’s Deep-Seated Ties to Happy Valley
Matt Rhule’s connection to Penn State is more than just professional; it’s intensely personal. He proudly proclaims his love for the university, where he met his wife and played as a walk-on linebacker under the legendary Joe Paterno. His coaching career even began there as a volunteer. This deep history, coupled with his close friendship with Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft (who previously hired Rhule at Temple), makes him a seemingly natural fit.
During a weekly news conference held just one day after Franklin’s departure, Rhule’s affection for his alma mater was evident. “I love Penn State,” Rhule said, his face reportedly lighting up. “Met my wife there. It’s my alma mater. Fan since I was born. I think I probably had a Penn State shirt when I was born. I love Pat Kraft.” This heartfelt declaration sounded to many like a man openly campaigning for a job, as noted by Yahoo Sports, making his loyalty to Nebraska seem, at least to some, somewhat divided.
Even ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum weighed in, suggesting Rhule “did everything but beg Kraft to hire him,” highlighting Rhule’s unusual candor compared to other coaches who typically dismiss job speculation out of hand, according to USA Today. While Rhule affirmed his commitment to turning Nebraska “into a beast,” his public “rubbernecking” at Penn State raises legitimate questions about his focus.
A Franklin 2.0? Evaluating Rhule’s Coaching Credentials
On paper, Matt Rhule’s coaching résumé is impressive. He’s a proven program builder, known for his steady hand and ability to elevate struggling teams. He achieved remarkable turnarounds at Baylor and Temple, much like James Franklin did at Vanderbilt. He leaves programs better than he found them, a quality that earned him an 8-year, $74 million deal with Nebraska in 2022, per Sports Illustrated.
However, this very strength presents a dilemma for Penn State. After firing Franklin, who amassed a 104-45 record but consistently fell short in “big games,” the Nittany Lions signaled a desire to be elite, not just solid. Critics argue Rhule, with an 8-13 Big Ten record in 2½ seasons at Nebraska and a recent loss to Michigan, mirrors Franklin’s struggle to win against top-tier opponents.
While Nebraska is trending upward with a 5-1 record under Rhule, and sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola is flourishing, the fundamental question remains: does Penn State need another builder, or a “closer” – a coach who can consistently win championship-level games? The Nittany Lions just spent tens of millions on Franklin’s buyout, the second-largest in college football history, to avoid a “charismatic Franklin” repeat.
The Allure of Alumni vs. Outside Visionaries
The idea of an alumnus coaching his alma mater has romantic appeal. Success stories abound: Kirby Smart at Georgia, Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, and Urban Meyer at Ohio State are just a few who achieved national prominence. For Penn State, hiring one of their own would undoubtedly tug on heartstrings and unify a passionate fanbase.
However, the college football landscape is littered with cautionary tales. Scott Frost at Nebraska, Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, and Kliff Kingsbury at Texas Tech all returned to their alma maters with great fanfare, only to flounder. Alabama famously replaced alumnus Mike Shula with Nick Saban, a West Virginia native who played at Kent State, leading to unprecedented success.
Furthermore, none of the four coaches in last season’s CFP semifinals were at their alma mater, highlighting that winning at the highest level often requires looking beyond nostalgic ties. Many argue that Penn State should emulate teams like Indiana, which “cooked up” a cut-throat coach in Curt Cignetti – a Pittsburgh native who played at West Virginia and came from James Madison – proving that a “Yinzer” can be more valuable than a “born and bred Hoosier” if they bring the right skillset. Similarly, Oregon, a defending Big Ten champion, doesn’t mind that Dan Lanning is from Missouri.
The Road Ahead: Fan Theories and Key Challenges
The Penn State fan community is abuzz with theories. The “obvious choice” of Matt Rhule ensures a high floor, but does it raise the ceiling to truly compete for national championships? With quarterback Drew Allar reportedly out for the season, the Nittany Lions face significant immediate challenges, intensifying the pressure on the coaching search. Fan discussions on forums and social media frequently echo the sentiment that Penn State needs a fresh vision, not a rehashed one.
The alternative—challenging their imagination—would mean finding a coach with a clear track record of winning big games, regardless of alma mater affiliation. While plundering a coach from another big-brand program hasn’t always worked (e.g., Jimbo Fisher to Texas A&M, Brian Kelly to LSU, Lincoln Riley to USC, none of whom made the playoff after changing jobs), it underscores the need for a truly transformative hire, not just a comfortable one.
For Penn State, the decision boils down to whether sentimentality or a ruthless pursuit of elite status will guide their next move. Hiring Matt Rhule would undoubtedly be popular initially, but if he proves to be a “Franklin 2.0,” the Nittany Lions could quickly find themselves back at square one, wondering why they spent so much to bring in the coach they essentially just replaced.
