Nebraska
Nebraska's Matt Rhule is solidifying his vision entering year 2: 'It's been night and day'
LINCOLN, Neb. — Hints of spring are here. The ice and snow have disappeared. The NFL combine is on deck. One month from Saturday, players at Nebraska return to the practice field.
Until then, or at least until spring break arrives in two weeks, the Cornhuskers remain stuck in the most grueling period of their offseason. It’s also the most revealing and perhaps the most important time on the football calendar, according to coach Matt Rhule, before the season begins.
“Don’t tell me you want to beat Iowa after we lose to Iowa,” Rhule said. “Tell me you want to beat Iowa today with your actions.”
He’s talking about culture. It’s the buzzword that will not go away. Fans hear it. Players hear it. The media repeats it. But what is culture, really, and how can it help the Huskers when every head coach at every program preaches its significance?
An impactful culture, Rhule said, requires complete belief.
“I think we’re headed in that direction,” Rhule said. “It’s been night and day, significantly better than it was last year.”
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The culture around Rhule’s program last year was not poor, the second-year coach is quick to mention. It was just something new.
“Now everyone knows what to expect,” he said.
Anxiety levels drop when expectations are understood. Performance, in theory, improves.
With these steps forward comes added responsibility. The reshaped culture of Nebraska extends beyond the glow of Memorial Stadium.
The work doesn’t stop#GBR x #WhatsNExt! pic.twitter.com/zWaJPjvfiZ
— Nebraska Football (@HuskerFootball) February 22, 2024
Wednesday night, Rhule met with more than 100 high school coaches in a room with seating for 70 on the Sandhills Global campus in northwest Lincoln. He offered a few words and introduced quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas and secondary coach Evan Cooper.
Rhule then drove to Omaha for a similar event with coaches from the Metro Conference.
Half of his staff went to the Lincoln engagement, the other half to the one in Omaha.
Among Rhule’s messages? Don’t make excuses.
Instead, make football enjoyable. Many coaches in attendance Wednesday have seen participation numbers decline in sports at their schools, said Jim Hansen, an organizer of the gathering and treasurer of the Lincoln Football Coaches Association.
“Let’s create football programs that kids want to be a part of,” Rhule told the high school coaches, according to Hansen.
Another Rhule message during this offseason: Culture isn’t measured solely by attendance or performance. It’s measured by what happens in the quiet moments.
“I know guys are watching the quarterbacks,” Rhule said recently. “We lost five games (last season) by three points or in overtime. So we’re fighting for every single point. We’re three points away from being a good team in our brains.
“So am I going to follow a quarterback that doesn’t win all the drills, that’s not out there throwing at 6 a.m., that’s not there on the weekends? I’m not following that guy.”
Likewise, the Nebraska coaches expect that they’re being watched. Wednesday in Lincoln, Thomas and Cooper impressed the high school coaches with their knowledge and attitudes. The program started at 7 p.m. The Nebraska assistant coaches stuck around until 9:45.
Coaches in attendance ranged from some of the largest schools in the state to Parkview Christian, which plays six-man football.
After some fluctuation over the past two decades at Nebraska, Hansen said “adults are back in the room.”
A former assistant coach at Lincoln Pius X, Hansen said he recalls years ago when a Nebraska coordinator scoffed at him for seeking insight on the Huskers’ scheme. Hansen told Rhule the story. If anything like that happens at Nebraska with this coaching staff, Rhule said, find him and let him know.
“This staff has just been different in the sense that they’ve really tried to connect with us,” Hansen said. “It’s great to see that the guys you watch on Saturday are going through the same things that we do on Friday night. They are one of us. They really are.”
As Thomas said last week in an introductory session with the media, Rhule’s process of building a culture has worked with multiple college programs. Rhule directed Temple to four-game improvements in his second and third seasons. Baylor went from one win in his first year to 11 in Rhule’s third.
“There’s a lot of value in that,” Thomas said. “But he’d be the first to tell you, every day we come in the building, we’re looking for the best way.”
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The best way might be a new way. Rhule and his coaching staff stay involved during winter with the Huskers’ mat drills. Two weeks remain of the culture-growing exercise.
“You do the offseason so you can get in better shape,” Rhule said. “But I want to see who shies away from competition and who attacks it. When things really get hard, that’s what I want to find out.”
In this time of year, Rhule said, “you show your teammates, ‘Hey, I’m a playmaker, I’m someone to watch. I’m going to compete in everything. I’m going to be tough.’”
Next season, with a strong culture in place, when Nebraska drives into scoring position tied late in the fourth quarter of a November Big Ten game — see Maryland in 2023 — Rhule said he doesn’t plan to hear complaints about how he made the wrong call to go for a touchdown.
“Those days are over,” he said. “Every team in the country throws touchdowns on those plays. And on our team, we need guys who will go get the ball. We need guys to throw the ball.”
The guys they need are made inside the football complex in February — and outside of it as the culture expands through the outreach on display this week in Lincoln and Omaha.
(Photo: Dylan Widger / USA Today)
I recently read an article by Nate McHugh of SB Nation that stated the last two “sure things” to bring Nebraska football back failed. The first “thing” is back coaching at UCF, and the second “thing” is now wearing an Oregon uniform. Because these two “sure things” failed, McHugh points to them as reasons for Husker fan’s frustration. But did he miss the third reason? If I’m not mistaken, the hiring of Matt Rhule felt like one of those “sure things” as well. But after the ‘mythical’ year three and disappointment it became clear Rhule’s hiring was anything but a “sure thing” for success.
Because of that fans are torn how they feel about Rhule. I’m one of them. I catch myself saying Rhule is the right guy for Nebraska and then quickly point out that his overall record as a head coach is 66-62. Clearly mediocre compared to Kyle Whittingham (177-88) or James Franklin (104-45). But Rhule hasn’t stayed anywhere long enough to truly establish himself like Whittingham or Franklin either.
See what I mean, I’m quick to point out his shortcomings but still believe he can make the Huskers relevant again. Where Husker fans struggle is that Rhule has in fact taken us to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2015-2016 yet allowed his team to get curb stomped by Penn State, Iowa, and Utah to end the season.
So, fans are leery going into the 2026 season. What are we going to get considering the schedule? The Huskers get Indiana, Washington, and Ohio State at home, and Oregon, Illinois, and Iowa on the road. While no game is a sure win, if they can’t notch victories against Ohio, Bowling Green, North Dakota, Michigan State, Maryland and Rutgers, then we’ll once again question if Rhule is the right man. Simply put, the fan base will be disappointed with another 6-6 season. Personally, with the coaching changes and improvement in talent, my expectation is a record of 7-5 or 8-4 on the season.
Tim Verghese of ‘Inside Nebraska’ got my attention last week when talking about fans giving recruits a negative vibe and possibly influencing their decision to commit to a program. He used Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M as an example. The fanbase was so negative about Fisher that it made recruits question how secure he was at A&M. Obviously recruits had reason to be worried.
Does that affect how I approach what I write or talk about? It does, but then again, I don’t think so much of myself to think it matters. I see myself as your typical fan. I’m just someone who shares their thoughts about Husker football. And frankly, like 50% or more of the fans, I’m torn between being supportive and negativity. We’ve been burned too many times and haven’t seen the things that we need to see to convince us a turnaround is about to happen. Whether it’s offense, defense, or beating the teams they are supposed to beat (Minnesota & Iowa) there just hasn’t been any consistency from Rhule’s teams. As fans we need to see Rhule’s teams win the games they are supposed to, then win the close games, and finally beat the teams they aren’t supposed to. Until we see Rhule’s teams take those steps, there will be doubt and a level of negativity.
As far as recruits are concerned, I don’t see Rhule going anywhere. He’s safe due to his contract, the investment being made on the stadium, and Trae Taylor making it clear he’s all ‘N’ as long as Matt Rhule is the head man. He may just be a senior in high school, but don’t think QB Trae Taylor doesn’t play a role here. He does. And I’m good with that. Taylor has the same expectations as the fans.
And no, those expectations aren’t too high. I’ve been a fan for over fifty years. The standard at Nebraska was set a long time ago. That standard hasn’t changed. Nebraska fans may be up and down on how they feel about Rhule, but they are consistent on their expectations. The standard is the standard and always will be.
GO BIG RED!! SIMPLE, FAST, VIOLENT!!
Photo courtesy of the Falls City Journal Home – Falls City Journal – Falls City, NE
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The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Friday, May 8, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on May 8.
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing
8-0-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from May 8 drawing
01-03-12-24-26
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from May 8 drawing
Red Balls: 02-20, White Balls: 09-11
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from May 8 drawing
Month: 01, Day: 16, Year: 17
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing
14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Nebraska Athletics announced Friday that the expansion of John Cook Arena is in full swing.
The Nebraska Athletics Capital Planning and Facilities Department posted to social media that the effort to modernize amenities and provide new seating options is well underway.
According to the athletic fund, the renovation will enhance Nebraska’s home-court advantage, modernize amenities and provide new premium and general seating options. This includes adding:
- New and improved seats with cup holders in each seat.
- A new centralized student section.
- New and improved courtside seating with both end court and side court locations available. The Courtside Lounge offers access pregame and during intermission and includes private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food, beverage and alcohol.
- New Loge Box seating with hospitality lounge with access pregame and during intermission, including access to private restrooms, televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and beverage with a cash bar.
- Libero Club seating replaces the VIP seats. Located in the back row of the 100 level, seats include access to the Libero Club Lounge pregame and during intermission complete with televisions and all-inclusive gourmet food and soft drinks with a cash bar.
- Additional ADA seating with new vantage points and easier access from around the concourse.
The Husker Athletic Fund announced the first-ever reseating and parking process in October 2025. It is timed to coincide with the renovation of the arena to increase overall capacity to 10,000.
For more information about the reseating process, click here.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
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