Matt Rhule Says Daughter’s Safety Could Prompt Him to Quit Coaching
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said on November 2 that he may leave coaching if it exposes his children to abuse, after a fan cursed at his 13-year-old daughter following a loss to Washington.
Rhule said a fan approached his 13-year-old daughter and directed profanity at her and her father after Nebraska’s 17-10 defeat by Washington on Saturday. Speaking to reporters on Monday, November 2, he said he could accept criticism of his coaching but would not continue if the job harmed his children.
The loss was Nebraska’s third in a row, each coming after the team held a fourth-quarter lead. The Cornhuskers are 5-3 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play. Fans booed during Saturday’s game, and some tossed items such as bottles onto the playing surface.
Rhule clarified that he was not quitting and said he was still committed to the team and its supporters. He also described his 10-year-old daughter texting him to say she loved Nebraska and its football team and urging him not to leave. Rhule is in his fourth season as Nebraska’s head coach and has a 24-22 record with the program.
Nebraska is scheduled to play Illinois on the road on Friday in Week 10. Rhule said he would keep working with the team, while making clear that protecting his family would take priority if such incidents continued.