Despite conjecture that he may be leaving to take the head coaching vacancy at Penn State, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is signing a two-year extension to remain with the team through 2032.
Each of the additional two years of Rhule’s extension are valued at $12.5 million, the same as the final year (2030) of the previous deal. Like his previous deal, the extension will remain 90 percent guaranteed.
The deal also increases Rhule’s buyout from $5 million to $15 million in an effort to eliminate any potential of taking another job in the offseason.
Following the firing of Penn State head coach James Franklin, it was speculated that Rhule would be the top candidate for the Nittany Lions’ job. Rhule not only has a strong relationship with Nittany Lions athletic director Patrick Kraft, but Penn State was also his alma mater.
However, Rhule quickly shut down these rumors, stating that he felt Nebraska was a “destination job” and not one he’d jump ship from.
“This is not a jumping off job,” Rhule said. “This is a destination job. This is one of the greatest places in the world.”
Rhule continued, expressing his belief in Nebraska and his desire to bring the Cornhuskers back to the program’s previous powers.
“I absolutely love it here,” Rhule said Oct. 13. “I just want us to continue to take the steps needed for us to turn this thing into a beast and have players all across the country want to come here with the best facilities. We have elite fans.”
The extension only further solidifies his commitment to rebuilding the Cornhuskers football program.
In three seasons at Nebraska, Rhule has accrued a 18-15 record, while taking the Cornhuskers to its first bowl game since 2016 last year following a 6-6 regular season.
In 2025, Rhule has led Nebraska to an impressive 6-2 record, and has the Cornhuskers in position to capture their first 10-win season since their 10-4 finish in 2012.
Image via Kenny Larabee, KLIN
