Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is in conversation as the frontrunner for Penn State's recently opened head coach position. After James Franklin was fired on Sunday, the search for ideal top candidates began and Rhule was one of the first to come to mind.
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Rhule is a Penn State alum who has a soft spot for Happy Valley. In 2025 Big Ten Media Days, he expressed his gratitude for Franklin and his ability to turn a Nittany Lion situation from bad to good over his time. Now, Rhule might just be the one to replace him.
Just two minutes into his press conference on Monday, Rhule was asked about the recent firing and his projection into early candidacy for the position.
"I love Penn State . . . It's my alma mater. Fan since I was born. I was born, I think [I] porbbaly had a Penn State shirt when I was born," Rhule started. "I love Pat Kraft and [I'm] really sad to see coach Franklin go. When you think about what he did for my alma mater . . . [Franklin] takes over a program in disarray and gives stability, excellence . . . I really respect [him]."
Even with his connection to the program and respect for it as well as the now former head coach, Rhule circled back to his reasons for being at Nebraska.
"I came here for two reasons. I love the community and wanted to live here and I love it here; and I wanted to rebuild Nebraska football and . . . understand the steps that you need to take to make us Big 10 champions and national champions. This place is elite . . . I'm not going to talk a lot about job openings when they come . . . I'm not going to talk about those things ever. I'm not going to talk about my contract here. I'm going to talk about the team . . . I absolutely love it here. I just want us to continue to take the steps needed for us to turn this thing into a beast."
While his answer points to not having interest in the job, Penn State could crack that door open. For now, it looks like Nittany Lions fans can take a sigh of relief knowing Rhule is committed to his Cornhuskers and not immediately whipping his head around to Happy Valley. Penn State needs a statement hire, not another Franklin walking in.