Speaking from emotion from this weekend and only knowing what I know, which is not much of an inkling as far as staff changes to give me hope, I'm voting no at the moment.

Rhule HAS to show progress next year. I get the harder schedule, but at some point, the team just has to be able to take that on. The Penn State and Cockeye games really did take any luster off of the end of this season. We look like a paper tiger.

6-6 or 5-7 next year will optically look like a step backwards regardless, and that will hurt the program for the narrative we are trying to paint as a program learning to crawl out of the crater it put itself in. Maybe 6-6 is enough to save Rhule for a 2027 season, but if he doesn't get us beyond 7 wins in a regular season in his fifth season, WITH a bigger NIL warchest to boot, I think writing's on the wall.

Then again, if tomorrow we found out all Raiolas are out and further coaches are moving on, my tune might change here.

Then again, if we're still stuck at 6-6 next year with clock management and just brain melting mistakes preventing us from moving forward, I've been thinking that Dannen hopefully calls Willie Fritz and hopes he can give us a better short term launch pad before he gets too far into the twilight of his career. Or DeBoer depending on how next season goes for him.

Rhule's not stupid and he has to know that his seat is warming up, so he's going to have to do some things he hasn't had to do before...namely, IMO, go get the best non-buddy AC's that he can as well as knock the hell out pf the portal. He doesn't have the luxury of waiting to see if his past MO works anymore. I think he recognizes that and he starts making moves very soon, so I'm going with a yea on this. By this time next year we'll know for sure, if not sooner.

I’m assuming he is able to hold the 27 class together so I think he will be here.

They won’t pull the plug after 4 years, even with obvious regression. Good young talent playing in 27 buys him one more year so he makes it until at least 28.

Edit to add: I don’t think our administration actually thinks Nebraska needs to be in the championship hunt anymore. I think they are hoping stability will raise the floor enough to satisfy non-message board fans and then they can get out of the hiring/firing cycle and not bleed cash in an effort to keep up with elite programs.

I’m going to vote yes.
NIL is clearly not where it should be so I have doubts Nebraska can afford the buyout

The odds of any coaching working out long term is very low. So just playing the odds with no.

Irv said:

I’m assuming he is able to hold the 27 class together so I think he will be here.

They won’t pull the plug after 4 years, even with obvious regression. Good young talent playing in 27 buys him one more year so he makes it until at least 28.

Edit to add: I don’t think our administration actually thinks Nebraska needs to be in the championship hunt anymore. I think they are hoping stability will raise the floor enough to satisfy non-message board fans and then they can get out of the hiring/firing cycle and not bleed cash in an effort to keep up with elite programs.

Click to expand...

I think the question really hinges on how ’27 looks. I’m assuming we’re at best flatline in ’26, unless we bring in a crazy class/transfer group that immediately affects on field capabilities. ’27 is the year most of the youth I really like (if they're still on the roster) will either prove my beliefs on their quality correct or incorrect. They’re what I think they are and we’re taking a step forward that’s not debatable. They’re something else and we haven’t replaced/upgraded with field ready talent prior to ’27 and it’s likely going be a fourth straight year with similar 7-ish win results and I don’t know how that plays with the AD and donors of substance.

I’m also in agreement with you that being in the Championship hunt or not won’t be the determining factor. IF Rhule and this team show undeniable progress, on field improvement and improvement in the w/l columns, they’re not running him off. If he’s at 8-9 wins by ’27, he’s here. If not, I don’t think they’ll continue to throw money at a stagnant effort.

I think he will be here.

Ultimately, I think Rhule is the CEO and willing to make changes when things are not working, but he has to start making those switches sooner than later to save some seasons.

Even if he is pulling out mediocre 6/7 win seasons, I think he's safe because of the expense of removing him.

If he slips into 4/5 win territory and losing seasons, the risk of program apathy becomes high and that will justify the expense.

As of now I think he's safe through 2028. As bad as they've been this season the schedules facilitate at least 6 wins.

no

Going with ‘Yes’.

If the results are good, just makes sense.

If the results aren’t great, Nebraska will Nebraska and keep him 1-2 years longer.