Here’s everything Matt Rhule said about Penn State football’s head coach opening
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Matt Rhule affirmed loyalty to Nebraska, praised Pat Kraft and respected Franklin.
- He declined to discuss job moves or contract, emphasized focus on team progress.
- Rhule framed media interest as consequence of success, not personal frustration.
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Penn State fires James Franklin
The James Franklin era is over at Penn State.
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Penn State made a coaching change Sunday when it fired James Franklin, and one name has continually popped up as a potential candidate to succeed him.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is going to be a prominent name in Penn State’s head coaching search until a hire is made. He’s a longtime friend of Penn State athletic director of Pat Kraft and has had success in college football at Temple, Baylor and now with the Cornhuskers, who are 5-1 and the No. 25 team in the country.
Rhule held his weekly press conference Monday and was asked about the opening at Penn State.
Here’s everything he said about Penn State, the job opening and James Franklin.
On James Franklin and the job opening:
“Well, I love Penn State. Met my wife there, it’s my alma mater. Fan since I was born. I was born, I think probably had a Penn State shirt when I was born. I love Pat Kraft. And really sad, really sad to see Coach Franklin go. When you think about what he did for my alma mater. The program was in peril, right? People remember, like the historic sanctions, you could transfer out, you could do whatever you want. Bill O’Brien comes in, stabilizes it for two years. James takes over a program in disarray, and gives stability, excellence. And to see videos of people yelling at his kids ... I just don’t understand why in our country now coaches are villains. You know how hard I worked in Carolina, and the things that were said to me? Or how hard I work here, and some of the things that are said? ... I’m just really sad about that part of it. And people say, ‘Well, you make a lot of money.’ Making a lot of money doesn’t make your kids feel good when they’re hearing that. ... It’s nice to make a lot of money, don’t get me wrong. But we’re still people.
“I really respect James Franklin. [Nebraska AD] Troy [Dannen] and I are in an unbelievable relationship, too, and Troy and I are in constant, constant, constant communication about this program and where we’re headed. I came here for two reasons. I love the community here, and wanted to live here, and I love it here, and I wanted to rebuild Nebraska football. And Troy and I understand the steps that you need to take to make us Big 10 champions and national champions. This place is elite. And I want to be a great father, and I want to be a great college football coach. And so, I’m not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come. This is, maybe it’s been a while here, but this is what happens when you win. I’ve dealt with it [when] we’ve won at Temple, and I dealt with it all the time. Dealt with it at Baylor. I’m not going to talk about those things ever. I’m not gonna talk about my contract here. I’m gonna talk about the team. But, yeah, I absolutely love it here, and I just want us to continue to take the steps needed for us to turn this thing into a beast. And players all across the country want to come here with the best facilities we have, elite fans. I’m just looking at the future. But again, I love that place. I love Pat, I love James Franklin, sad that that came to an end. I wish him the absolute best, but I’m really happy here and excited to get going this week on Minnesota.”
On what he tells the team about the outside noise about him being a candidate at Penn State:
“I’m their coach and I love them and we’re rolling. That’s it. With them, I’m going to be as honest as possible. With everything. I’m their coach. Let’s rock.”
On if it’s frustrating to have the noise happen when his team is 5-1:
“No, this is good. It’s way better than when I was in Carolina and I was on the hot seat. Nothing has happened. A job is open, just in fairness. And this is about our players. This is because our players are so good. You guys think when we were 5-3 my first year, do you think any schools called me then? When we were five and one last year, you think anyone called me then? Yeah, this is part of the deal. I’m the Huskers coach. This is a great job. ... I’m not frustrated. Now, I’m worried about Minnesota, but this is a good thing. It just hasn’t happened here in a while, but it’s going to happen. People are gonna want to hire [offensive coordinator] Dana [Holgorsen] and people are gonna want to hire like they wanted to hire [former Nebraska defensive coordinator] Tony White last year. It’s all good stuff. It’s all good stuff.”
On if he understands why it’s different because Penn State is his alma mater and he’s friends with Kraft:
“100%. I‘m trying to be as respectful as possible and answer it and then get it over. I’m here. I’m not a cyborg. I have two little girls. I have a wife. I’m worried about have my daughters found a volleyball club to play for. ... I love it here. It’s awesome. It’s awesome.”
