Report: Matt Rhule reuniting with longtime assistant coach Phil Snow
PhilSnow is back in the fold and will reunite with Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule on a full-time basis, per a report from Pete Thamel.
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Snow will be reportedly joining Rhule’s staff as the Huskers’ associate head coach. It will be a reunion of two longtime coaching partners who are very familiar with each other.
Snow has been a full-time assistant on Rhule’s coaching staffs for 10 of the 12 years he has been a coach. Snow was the defensive coordinator for all 10 seasons of Rhule’s tenures as the coach of Temple (four seasons, 2013-16), Baylor (three seasons, 2017-19) and in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers (three seasons, 2020-22). He also served as Temple’s safeties coach all four of those years and Baylor’s safeties coach for one season (2019).
Snow was one of five finalists in 2019 for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant in college football. He was also a semifinalist for the Broyles Award in 2014 and 2015 as Temple DC and safeties coach.
Sources told Inside Nebraska at the time that Rhule attempted to hire Snow as his defensive coordinator once again when he took the Nebraska head coaching job in November 2022. Snow, though, declined and elected to retire from coaching – or, at least, retire from any full-time on-field coaching role.
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Rhule, however, was able to add Snow as a defensive consultant for the Huskers during the 2024 season. The news of Snow’s addition in a consultant role trickled out in early November, and Rhule revealed one week later that Snow was performing those duties off-site away from the Huskers’ facilities.
“Phil doesn’t even come up here,” Rhule said on Nov. 11. “Phil does everything virtually for us. He watches tape, we have a couple guys that do things like that for us. When we were playing Colorado, he’d watch Colorado’s defense, dissect the defense for us, watch the offense, dissect the offense for us. Frank Verducci does the same thing for us, though he does come up on game days.
“We have a couple guys that help us, like in the NFL as advanced scouts, just sort of their take to give to the coordinator on Sundays. So when you walk in on Sunday, you already have someone who studied them for a week who knows your way of seeing things and the other team’s strengths and weaknesses.”
The addition of Snow in an off-the-field role as a defensive consultant was similar to his addition of DanaHolgorsen on the other side of the ball. Rhule initially hired Holgorsen as an offensive consultant and, ultimately, as the full-time offensive coordinator.
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“Last week (the week after Nebraska’s loss to UCLA), I woke up Sunday morning, went through Sunday, and then got home and called both those guys and said, ‘Can you get up here at some point,’ then waited to see if they showed up on Monday or not,” Rhule said during that same Nov. 11 press conference. “… (Holgorsen) got done last year (as Houston head coach) and probably needed some time. And I called him (after the loss to UCLA) and said, ‘Hey, can you come in and help?’ So he and Phil came in and kind of looked through everything.
“… Just being out on the field, it looks like it’s flowing really well and moving really smoothly (the change from MarcusSatterfield to Holgorsen as OC). That was the take from Phil. He came in and said – and I trust Phil with my life – that I have a really good group of kids, you have a good defensive staff. It’s just some of these games, it’s a play here, a play there. You’re knocking the quarterback out of bounds on 3rd-and-8 when you need to come around and sack-fumble the ball. It’s just little edges here and there that we’re fighting for.”
Matt Rhule offseason staff changes
It is unclear how much Snow will be involved in Rhule’s defense this time around, but his background and impending hire both suggest he will be involved in some capacity. No matter the role, the pair will be reunited in a full-time capacity for 11 of 13 seasons during Rhule’s tenure as a head coach and at all four of Rhule’s head-coaching stops.
Though Snow’s hiring has not been officially announced by Rhule or Nebraska, the news is imminent as Rhule continues to give a significant facelift to his coaching staff entering Year 3.
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The Nebraska head man is doing so amid a pair of significant departures (former defensive coordinator Tony White and former DL coach Terrance Knighton both leaving for those same positions at Florida State), another full-time assistant heading elsewhere (former WR coach Garret McGuire not being retained and heading to Texas Tech to join his father’s staff, Joey McGuire, as an offensive analyst and assistant RBs coach) and at least one other major demotion (former offensive coordinator/TEs coach Marcus Satterfield remaining with the Huskers to coach the tight ends but losing his OC job and his duties as a playcaller).
Rhule already brought inHolgorsenas a “corporate fixer” of sorts, hiring Holgorsen first as an offensive consultant during the Huskers’ second bye week after a 5-1 start and subsequent three-game losing streak left them at 5-4. Then, he announced the official change during USC Week that Holgorsen was replacing Satterfield.
This offseason, Holgorsen coaxed longtime assistant Daikiel Shorts, Holgorsen’s former three-year leading receiver as West Virginia head coach, to leave his one-year post as Kentucky’s WRs coach to take the same position at Nebraska.
Also, in addition to the Tuesday news of Snow’s impending hire, two more staff hires were revealed.
First, Nebraska secondary coach and pass game coordinator John Butler was elevated to full-time defensive coordinator to replace White.
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Then, Kansas City Chiefs eight-year assistant Terry Bradden – who helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowl championships as a defensive assistant (2017), defensive quality control coach (2018-20) and assistant defensive line coach (2021-24) with Kansas City – was hired as the Huskers’ DL coach to replace Knighton.
Matt Rhule’s Year 3 Nebraska coaching staff
Below is a look at Rhule’s coaching staff heading into Year 3 at Nebraska compared to his staff in Years 1-2 during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
College head coaches are only permitted to have 10 full-time, on-field assistant coaches on their staffs. There are 13 full-time assistants listed on the table. Therefore, the coaching staff listed is not finalized and will not be set in stone, as there will have to be more changes made, whether that be via more departures, consolidation with one assistant absorbing multiple position groups or other moves.
Matt Rhule’s Year 3 Nebraska Coaching Staff*
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*as of Dec. 10, 2024 ^new position on Year 3 coaching staff
MINDEN, Neb. (KSNB) – The Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Kearney County Sheriff’s Office and Kearney County Attorney’s Office, is investigating an attempted murder/suicide in rural Kearney County.
The Kearney County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene Saturday afternoon.
According to NSP, three children and a woman had gunshot wounds, with the woman found dead.
The three children were transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and treated for their injuries. Two of the children have since been transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha.
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NSP said all three children are expected to survive. The children are all under the age of 12.
This investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement said there is no ongoing threat to the public.
According to NSP, names are not being released at this time to protect the identities of the victims.
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Ten UNK students will perform with other outstanding instrumentalists from across the state as part of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band. Front row, from left: Olivia Kohmetscher, Kaia Johnson, Douglas Davidchik, Micah Feddersen and Avery Reitz. Back row, from left: Evan Porter, Ike Smith, Kaitlyn Obrecht, Cameron Grafel and Chloe Harms. (Courtesy UNK, Click to enlarge)
KEARNEY, Neb – Ten students will represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the 2026 Nebraska Intercollegiate Band.
They’ll perform 11:30 a.m. March 7 in Kimball Recital Hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus as part of the 65th annual Nebraska State Bandmasters Association convention. The concert is free and open to the public.
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The Nebraska Intercollegiate Band includes outstanding instrumentalists from colleges and universities across the state. Students selected for the honor spend time rehearsing together in Lincoln before performing for the public. This year’s ensemble is led by guest conductor Donald McKinney, director of bands at Indiana University.
“Rehearsing and performing in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band will be an excellent opportunity for experiential learning,” said professor Duane Bierman, director of bands at UNK. “Not only will these students get a great musical experience but they will also get a chance to expand their network and grow their interpersonal skills.”
Students representing UNK include: Broken Bow – Cameron Grafel, horn Columbus – Douglas Davidchik, clarinet Elm Creek – Chloe Harms, euphonium Grand Island – Olivia Kohmetscher, tenor saxophone Kearney – Ike Smith, trumpet Kearney – Micah Feddersen, trumpet Kearney – Avery Reitz, string bass and tuba La Vista – Kaitlyn Obrecht, piano Minden – Evan Porter, percussion Ravenna – Kaia Johnson, flute
Not even more sickness could stop the No. 12 Nebraska men’s basketball team.
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With a nasty flu strain ripping through the Huskers and the UNL campus as a whole, Nebraska needed a little more time to take care of Maryland, but freshman star Braden Frager and his team-high 21 points and eight rebounds led a late NU surge for a 74-61 victory over the Terrapins. Forward Pryce Sandfort added to the effort with 16 points and eight rebounds while both Rienk Mast (13) and Sam Hoiberg (12) also reached double figures.
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Now with just three games remaining in the regular season, the Huskers venture west for a two-game road trip to L.A., where they start off against a USC team in the middle of a long losing skid. Here’s all you need to know for Saturday’s mid-afternoon showdown between the Huskers and Trojans.
How to Follow Along
Matchup: Nebraska (24-4, 13-4 B1G) at USC (18-10, 7-10 B1G)
When: Saturday, February 28
Where: Galen Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
Time: 3 p.m. CST
Watch: Big Ten Network
Listen: Huskers Radio Network and Affiliates
USC head coach Eric Musselman has already surpassed the wins total from his first season in charge of the Trojans. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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USC Scout
Head Coach
Eric Musselman | 2nd season at USC; 11th as HC
35-28 (.556) at USC; 256-121 (.679) College Career Record
Previous head coach at Arkansas, Nevada, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors
Previous assistant at LSU, Arizona State, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves
2024-2025 Record & Awards
Record: 17-18 (7-13 B1G, T-12th)
Finish: L, 60-59 to Villanova in CBC Quarterfinals
All-B1G: 1x Honorable Mention
All-Time Series
USC leads 6-5
Jan. 22, 2025, last matchup, 78-73 USC
Washington guard Desmond Claude (1) was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention pick last year at USC before transferring. | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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Key Returners
Terrance Williams II | F | Gr. | Was off to a great start with 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last year before getting knocked out for the season just seven games in; has not been the same with just 2.5 PPG in 27 contests this season.
Key Departures
Desmond Claude | G | Transfer | Named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season for the Trojans after leading the team with 15.8 points per game, but transferred to Washington over the offseason.
Wesley Yates III | G | Transfer | Another player that transferred to Washington, the Texas native was second on the team last season in scoring (14.1) and steals (40) as a redshirt freshman.
Chibuzo Agbo | G | Graduated | Veteran guard that scored 11.8 points per contest while leading the team with 76 made three-pointers as part of his final college season.
Saint Thomas | F | Graduated | The Omaha native and Millard North graduate scored 9.5 points and grabbed 5.9 rebounds per game in his final college season.
Rashaun Agee | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-8 veteran forward who proved to be USC’s most dangerous threat off the bench by scoring over nine points per game.
Josh Cohen | F | Graduated | A 6-foot-10 post that started in 25 of his 33 appearances while adding 5.9 points per game for the Trojans.
Clark Slajchert | G | Graduated | Another key reserve for the Trojans who put up four points per game in 11 minutes across 27 games.
Kevin Patton Jr. | F | Transfer | After scoring 9.8 PPG at San Diego, the California native saw limited action for USC off the bench to prompt his transfer to New Mexico over the offseason.
Matt Knowling | F | Graduated | Played in 27 contests with an average of over 18 minutes, but added little production with three points and 2.6 rebounds.
Another standout guard for USC last season, Wesley Yates III (9) transferred to Washington ahead of his redshirt sophomore year. | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Impact Transfers/Newcomers
Rodney Rice | G | Jr. | The third leading scorer from a Sweet 16 Maryland squad last season, the transfer scored over 20 points per game for the Trojans before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December.
Chad Baker-Mazara | G/F | Gr. | A veteran transfer that aided Auburn’s run to the Final Four last season, the Dominican Republic native leads all active Trojans with 18.6 points per game and 71 total assists.
Ezra Ausar | F | Sr. | The 6-foot-9 forward transfer from Utah scores over 15 points per game and grabs over six rebounds per contest in an elevated role after the injury to Rice.
Alijah Arenas | G | Fr. | The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, the true freshman missed the first 18 games of the season, but he’s been highly productive with a 13.9 points per game average in his first 10 college games.
Jacob Cofie | F | Soph. | A massive 6-foot-10 forward from Seattle, the Virginia transfer gives USC a weapon inside with 9.8 points and seven rebounds per game as a full-time starter.
Kam Woods | G | Gr. | A mid-season transfer from Robert Morris, where he led the program to its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Alabama native has added over eight points and four rebounds in 16 contests this year.
Jordan Marsh | G | Jr. | The 2025 Big South Conference Newcomer of the Year last season at UNC-Ashville, Marsh acts as the sixth man for the Trojans with 6.7 PPG to lead all reserves.
Jaden Brownell | F | Gr. | A 6-foot-10 bench forward, the USC big man was a 14-point scorer at Samford last season before making his way to L.A.
Jerry Easter II | G | Fr. | An Ohio native who went to the heralded Link Academy in Missouri, Easter II has earned six starts in his 26 appearances by scoring 4.4 points per game.
Gabe Dynes | C | Jr. | The 7-foot-5 center led the country in blocks (104) last season at Youngstown State before transferring to USC, where he’s putting up three points per game, but has collected 30 blocks while only averaging 12 minutes per appearance.
Outlook
A veteran head coach at both the college and NBA levels, Eric Musselman was at the center of one of college basketball’s wildest coaching carousel moves following the 2023–24 season, leaving Arkansas for USC and paving the way for the legendary John Calipari to take over the Razorbacks program.
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While Calipari marched his team to a Sweet 16 appearance in his first season, Musselman’s debut season in L.A. ended with a quarterfinal loss in the CBC for an underwhelming year. What followed was an exodus from the program, with top-two scorers Desmond Claude (15.8) and Wesley Yates III (14.1) both transferring to Washington despite standout seasons. Six others graduated, including Omaha native Saint Thomas (9.5) as well as Chibuzo Agbo, a veteran guard who scored 11.8 points per game in his final college season.
That resulted in a whole new crop of transfers to join the team, including the crown jewel of the haul in Rodney Rice, who played a big part in helping Maryland reach the Sweet 16 last season. The junior started out hot for the Trojans, logging over 20 points per game, but a devastating shoulder injury ended his season just seven games in, which immediately lowered the ceiling for a USC team with decent talent. Chad Baker-Mazara has stepped up in the place of Rice with 18.6 points per game and a team-high 71 assists after transferring from Auburn, where he helped the Tigers reach the Final Four.
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Rodney Rice (1) was scoring over 20 points per game for USC before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in December. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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Utah transfer Ezra Ausar has produced at a high level with over 15 points and six rebounds per contest. Despite missing the first 18 games of the season, true freshman Alijah Arenas has averaged 13.9 points per game as a starter. Sophomore and Virginia transfer Jacob Cofie is the muscle in the post, scoring 9.8 points per game and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds per contest. Similar to Arenas, Robert Morris transfer Kam Woods has been a big mid-season addition with over eight points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Plus, Jordan Marsh (6.7), Jaden Brownell (5.3), and 7-foot-5 center Gabe Dynes give Musselman the opportunity to mix-and-match his lineup off the bench depending on the matchup.
The Rice injury is massive, and could end up being one of the primary reasons for the Trojans missing the NCAA Tournament, for which they are a bubble team in the latest projections. It’s crunch time for USC, which is in the midst of a four-game losing streak after dropping contests to Ohio State, No. 10 Illinois, Oregon, and UCLA. Three of those four were winnable for the Trojans and games that could really haunt them as they search for key wins down the stretch to lock up a spot in March Madness.
Against a Trojan team that doesn’t defend well, but ranks as one of the top rebounding teams in the conference, USC is an interesting matchup for Nebraska. Being on the road and dealing with more sickness isn’t helpful, but I’m riding the Huskers for this one to reach 25 wins on the year.
