Keeping an open mind on possibility of Rhule
PSU point/counterpoint: Who would you like to see Penn State hire?
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Editor’s note: The University of Nebraska announced Thursday that Matt Rhule has signed a 2-year extension through 2032, according to Yahoo Sports.
There is no shortage of names being discussed as the preferred choice to succeed James Franklin.
And judging from emails, social media comments and various podcasts, there seems to be more agreement -- pro or con --- on one potential candidate.
And that's Matt Rhule.
I've seen or heard more people against the idea of hiring Rhule than any other single candidate.
Rhule is in the third year of a rebuild at Nebraska.
It's his third head-coaching tenure in college football -- along with two-plus seasons with the NFL's Carolina Panthers -- and skeptics point to his 2-22 record vs. Top-25 teams.
If you're going to hire Rhule, it's being pointed out, it's not an upgrade over Franklin, who was just 4-21 vs. the Top 25.
I don't see it that way, which is why I'm keeping an open mind about Rhule.
For one thing, the comparison of his big-game record to Franklin's doesn't hold water. We're going to penalize Rhule for losing to Top-25 teams while at Temple? And it takes longer than three years of resurrecting Baylor and Nebraska before being able to judge a coach's capability.
Rhule is 65-58 in 10 seasons -- 28-23 at Temple, 19-20 in the mess he inherited at Baylor and 18-15 at Nebraska, which has had at least four losses each year since 2003 and has averaged 7.4 losses for the last seven seasons.
Rhule's teams have trended up in his third season at his two previous college stops, and he's 6-2 this year.
He grew up in State College and walked onto the Nittany Lions as a backup linebacker and special teams player.
Joe Paterno spoiled Penn State fans with his 46-year tenure, and that run will never happen again.
But that doesn't mean the Penn State job shouldn't be a destination, and though he stayed 12 seasons, you never got the feeling Franklin saw it that way.
Rhule would.
Indiana's Curt Cignetti quickly used the PSU opening to get a big raise and took himself off the market. Mississippi's Lane Kiffin is the most attractive name out there and can stay at Ole Miss or name his destination (LSU or Florida, should he choose).
Marcus Freeman seems happy at Notre Dame but would be in demand. Ditto Jeff Brohm at Louisville.
If Pat Kraft could convince any of those, well, then Rhule would have to stay at Nebraska.
No thanks on Urban Meyer.
Highly-regarded assistant coaches, such as Ohio State's Brian Hartline, are possibilities, along with Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, a former Penn State graduate assistant under Franklin who has the support of PSU kingpin Terry Pegula.
But would they stay a couple years and leave (in Hartline's case, if Ryan Day went to the NFL and the OSU job opened)?
Let's keep in mind the difference in coaches who would take the job and coaches who actually want it.
And nobody would want it more than Rhule, who could reconnect Penn State's past with its future -- unlike Franklin, who almost never mentioned Paterno.
In this wacky, probably unfixable world of college sports, loyalty and pride are lacking. That was apparent at UCLA and vs. Northwestern and needs restored.
To that end, a coach with an emotional connection could be an asset.
Interim head coach Terry Smith at least brought some of the Lions' fight back in his first game at Iowa.
But just because Rhule has roots and is close with Kraft — the two worked together at Temple and are best friends -- doesn't mean he should be handed the Lasch key fob.
He needs to show additional growth with the Cornhuskers.
Five days after Franklin's dismissal — with the Penn State fan base paying attention, knowing Rhule was perhaps the top target —- Nebraska went to Minnesota and lost, 24-6. Rhule's offense could not have been less impressive.
His Nittany Nation court of public-opinion interview will continue over the next four games.
Nebraska hosts USC, visits UCLA and heads to Penn State -- could that be the Rhule Bowl? -- before closing with Iowa.
A 9-3 or even 8-4 record would be easier to sell than 7-5.
Because of recruiting, Penn State must make this hire immediately after the season -- say Nov. 30 -- and can't wait for a coach in the College Football Playoff.
Nebraska unlikely to land in the Big Ten title game would be an added benefit as well.
I'm not saying it has to be Matt Rhule.
I'm just saying that I don't believe it shouldn't be.
Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.