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Matt Rhule says Nebraska was due for ‘a change’ after coaching staff shakeup following loss to Illinois
Matt Rhule has removed Dana Holgorsen as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator after the Cornhuskers lost 24-13 to Illinois, saying the team needed a change. The decision matters as Nebraska has lost four games in a row and Rhule says he remains responsible for the programme’s results.
Co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas will take over play-calling. Nebraska scored on just two of nine possessions against Illinois and on nine of 46 across its last four games, totalling 54 points over that run. Holgorsen, in his second full season as coordinator, had been praised by Rhule earlier in the week; Nebraska next travels to Rutgers.
In short
- Rhule removed Holgorsen after Nebraska’s loss to Illinois.
- Glenn Thomas will take over play-calling.
- Nebraska has lost four straight games.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
After four consecutive losses and just nine scoring possessions in 46 over that stretch, Rhule had reason to conclude the offence needed a different approach. Changing the play-caller could provide a fresh perspective and make clear that poor results have consequences, while giving Glenn Thomas a chance to improve the team before its next game.
The case against
Removing Holgorsen after previously praising him may appear reactive, especially since a change in play-caller alone may not address broader problems with execution or the programme. Mid-season upheaval can also disrupt players’ preparation and relationships, and Rhule’s acknowledgement that he is responsible for results raises the question of whether leadership changes should extend beyond the coordinator.
Explained simply
Nebraska’s Cornhuskers are a college American football team in the Big Ten, a major US university sports conference. Matt Rhule is the head coach, responsible for the team and its coaching staff; the offensive coordinator plans the attacking play, including how the team tries to score.
Dana Holgorsen had been Nebraska’s offensive coordinator, while Glenn Thomas is a co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Changes to the coaching staff can affect how a team prepares and plays, and Nebraska’s recent run of defeats has increased attention on its performance.