Nebraska, Matt Rhule and Trev Alberts Fallout Continues with March Madness DH and Searches

Matt Lays Down the Rhule – “I’m Here and I’m All In”

In the aftermath of Trev Alberts leaving for Texas A&M, Nebraska fans began to immediately speculate that popular and respected head coach Matt Rhule would not be long for Nebraska. But in a Monday press conference, Rhule made it clear that “I’m here, and I’m all in.”

Nebraska fans, in their rush to panic, overlooked that Rhule is beginning just the second year of an eight-year contract and that his buyout is $62 million. After getting burned by their favorite son and All-American boy Alberts, Husker nation is wounded with frayed nerves.

Rhule did much to re-install faith and confidence with an inspiring tweet on the night that Alberts bailed. And his press conference was a masterful performance.

Nebraska begins Team Commitment Week before kicking off spring football next Monday. At a bare minimum, optimism is high for a bowl berth. The obvious focus of everyone’s attention will be 5-star quarterback Dylan Raiola, whom Rhule flipped from Georgia to Nebraska last December. 

What Comes First, The Chicken or the Egg? 

Meanwhile, Nebraska continues its search for a new school president and athletic director. The conventional wisdom is that the university will want to pick a president first. But the way things are going, such theories are not set in stone.

Last week Governor Jim Pillen ripped the Board of Regents for dragging its feet on hiring a new president. Pillen added that Alberts left Nebraska because of poor leadership. Alberts alluded to that in a political statement of doubletalk last week, which fanned the flames of a firestorm that has swept the state.

Alberts praised Texas A&M leadership, which was taken as a shot at Nebraska. He also indirectly hinted that the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) debate at Nebraska turned divisive. Yet Texas A&M has no DEI as the state banned it from all universities. Thus, there was no sign of “Nebraska Nice” from Cornhusker faithful at the obnoxious political gibberish and obfuscation of Alberts. 

Nor was it forgotten that Alberts gushed nothing but praise and love for Nebraska and his commitment to it when he signed a raise and extension last November. Alberts has been revealed as a man who is all about himself, on the make, with no loyalties.  

Matt Will Rhule from the Catbird Seat Holding Aces  

Trev Alberts handed Matt Rhule four aces when he cut and ran for the tall grass of College Station. Rhule is the most powerful and popular man in the Cornhusker State. The university will be forced to bring him in regarding the hiring of a president and athletic director. There is too much invested in Rhule for Nebraska to ignore his say in who will be running things in Lincoln. Nerbaska has no leverage with Rhule.

Nebraska fans should enjoy their week of March Madness and the excitement of spring football kicking off next week. And they can raise a toast to the most important man in the state, happily staying put with a much-improved roster and QB room compared to 2023.