From X
On October 30, 2025, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln officially announced that head football coach Matt Rhule has signed a two-year contract extension, securing his position through the 2032 season. This move comes amid speculation linking Rhule—Nebraska's third-year coach and a Penn State alum—to the Nittany Lions' head coaching vacancy following James Franklin's firing earlier in the month.Key Details of the Extension
- Original Contract:
- Rhule signed an eight-year deal worth up to $50 million upon joining Nebraska in November 2022, after stints at Temple, Baylor, and the NFL's Carolina Panthers. His base salary started at $5.5 million and was set to escalate to $12.5 million by 2030, with bonuses tied to performance.
- Extension Terms:
- Adds two years to the existing deal, extending it to 2032. Current annual salary: Approximately $8.5 million (ranking him in the top 15 among college coaches). Buyout Clause: Increased to $15 million if Rhule leaves after the 2025 season (up from $5 million), effectively deterring moves to other programs this cycle. Additional Incentives: Includes a $1 million salary bump for each College Football Playoff qualification.
Yup, there goes the safety net as some were calling the Rhule option.
As I posted earlier in this thread, it may come as a rude surprise to some...but it shouldn't...that the Penn State job may not be coveted by A-list candidates.
An up-and-comer from a lesser school or coordinator looking to make a breakthrough...different story.
Then again, who knows.
Meanwhile, there's a lot of buzz around Franklin and Virginia Tech. I don't think that scenario would be great for us but it is in many ways the perfect landing spot for James.