The thing I really like about Rhule is that I think the timing of MR's career is absolutely exquisite for DONU. He's had 2 very good stints in CFB. One mediocre stint in the NFL. But the key is where he's at now. I think the NFL stint allowed him to step back and realize what he likes and dislikes as a leader, what he likes about the college game vs the NFL game... what his strengths are as a CEO etc. I think he spent 3 yrs kind of subconsciously plotting for his next return to CFB. This is a much better progression for us than a guy coming off a hotshot 2-3 yr run at a UCF or even Cincinnati.
It'd be interesting to do a long form analysis of the CFB->NFL->CFB coaches. I think there's a group that came back to CFB kind of burned out & w the tank 3/4 full. Then there's the Saban/Harbaugh group that just continued developing as HCs right when they started back in the college game. That's what you hope happens with Rhule.
If you look at the list though, a lot of these guys did quite well when they came back. Spurrier was burned out but he did very well with SC. Even Bobby Petrino after his humiliation at the Falcons, he did great w Arkansas when he came back (until...). Chip Kelly looked like he wanted to retire on the job at UCLA but he's looking like he'll bring them back now.
There's actually quite a bit of precedent for Rhule having a lot of success at Nebraska. My only hang up honestly is, is Nebraska getting him too EARLY? Saban was 54 when he came back. Harbaugh was 51. Spurrier was 60. Chip Kelly 55. Matt Rhule was 47 when hired by NU. So he's on the younger end of this group of coaches. Though Petrino was 47 too when he went to Arkansas.
I actually have zero doubt that Rhule is going to be a very successful CFB HC again. My only question is, is his career peak going to be at NU? Or does he drop NU after a 9-3, 10-2 run for an LSU, UT or PSU?
There are NU fans who actually think that Rhule might put together a 3-9, 4-8, 4-8 then get fired from NU. That has zero chance of happening. He'll get a team to the 10-2 & CFP (12 team) level... my only question is, is that going to be at Nebraska or is Nebraska the step before the breakthrough? That's actually not something to worry about bc even if he's only at NU for 3-4 yrs and leaves for Texas or PSU, he's still made the UNL program much better than how he inherited it.
