Matt Rhule Defines Coaching Experience With Panthers In Two Precise Words

When Carolina signed Matt Rhule to a seven-year contract in 2020, no party anticipated that his stay there would be that short. After a 1-4 start to the previous season, the head coach was fired by owner David Tepper just five weeks into Year 3 of that deal.

Rhule has now recovered, though, and is about to begin his first season as Nebraska’s head coach after returning to the collegiate levels.

Matt Rhule Defines Coaching Experience With Panthers In Two Precise Words

Rhule promises that his time in Nebraska will be quite different from his stay in Carolina as he adjusts to his new position. He will utilize his failings at Carolina as a learning lesson.

After much hype at Baylor, the 47-year-old was hired for the 2020 season after going 11-3 in 2019.

Rhule, though, only had an 11-27 record in Carolina, where he was fired midway through a seven-year, $62 million contract after never managing to win more than five games in a season there.

He spoke up about his experience with the Panthers in an interview with ESPN’s Pete Thamel as he begins the first of an eight-year deal with the Cornhuskers.

“Going through the fire in Carolina was a purifying fire that melts away all the impurities, all the hubris, all the worrying about stuff that doesn’t matter,” Rhule told ESPN. “I learned very much to worry about what matters. I have a focus and a desire in me.

“I watched what my kids had to go through in Carolina, and we’re not going to let ’em go through that here.”

Rhule has confidence in his group.

We can absolutely be a national power,” Rhule said. “I think we can be relevant in the [new world], as the College Football Playoff goes to 12 teams.”

The Panthers appear to be on a better path as Rhule seeks to rebuild himself at the collegiate level. The team just selected Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first overall choice and hired former Colts head coach Frank Reich to man the sidelines.

 

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