There were seven head coaching vacancies this offseason, and Bill Belichick was not among those hired. His son Steve, who recently joined the Washington Huskies staff as a Defensive Coordinator, went on to poke fun at his father’s plight. Even still, the legendary Head Coach that led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowls in 24 seasons has found time to travel the country to meet with various college coaching staffs.
Matt Rhule’s response to Belichick’s visit to Nebraska is making waves this week.
Bill Belichick Visited Nebraska
Nebraska was the first of the two stops along the way during his college tour, the second being his son’s current employers in Washington. While in Lincoln, Bill Belichick stopped by to meet with current Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule, his players, and his staff. Belichick was reported to have spent upwards of four and a half hours with the staff of Nebraska.
Rhule, who spent parts of three unsuccessful seasons with the Carolina Panthers, found himself heavily humbled by the experience.
Matt Rhule Had Some Heavy Praise for Bill Belichick
Speaking to a group of reporters, which included KETV’s Matt Sottile, after the fact, Rhule offered the following glimpse into what exactly went on during this meeting with Bill Belichick:
“He is so smart and has seen so much that he can make the complex so simple that it humbles you and embarrasses you,” Rhule said. “I was embarrassed yesterday listening to him, how smart he is, how simple it was.”
He went on to further praise Belichick, further showcasing how “embarrassed” he came away from the meeting and Belichick’s presence:
“Forget the clinic, he came in and met with our coaching staff,” Rhule said. “Three-and-a-half hours in I was like, ‘Coach, would you like a water or a coffee? Would you like to use the restroom?’ Because I desperately had to use the restroom. And he’s like, ‘I’m fine, Matt.’ And I was like, ‘Yes, sir.’ … The only reason why we don’t get through more information is because he’s having to slow down and make sure you understand what he’s saying.”
Evidently, the former Baylor and Panthers Head Coach saw Bill Belichick in a much different light than most have.
What Can Nebraska Football Take Away From Bill Belichick’s Visit, Improve Upon For 2024?
As of this writing, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have not finished a season with a winning record since 2016, and have not won 10 games in over a decade. Their last major bowl appearance was the 2001 Rose Bowl National Championship where they were subsequently embarrassed by the Miami Hurricanes, 37-14.
While we may never know what was truly conveyed from Belichick to the members of Matt Rhule’s staff, help is on the way in the form of a Freshman quarterback who some have compared to Patrick Mahomes. But to thrive in an expanded Big 10 conference in 2024 and beyond, it will take nothing short of a small miracle.
Nebraska currently sits midpack in the now-18-team Big 10 conference with respect to projected win totals for 2024. That number currently sits at 7.5.
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