It was supposed to be a season-defining rivalry game. Instead, the regular season finale turned into a nightmare that has Nebraska fans questioning everything. After a humiliating 40-16 loss to Iowa dropped the Cornhuskers to 7-5, the goodwill from Matt Rhule’s recent contract extension seems to have evaporated before the ink even dried.
Fans Call for Matt Rhule To Be Sacked After Blowout Loss
Following the heavy defeat at the hands of the Hawkeyes, frustration boiled over on social media. Fans immediately took to X to demand changes after watching their team struggle in Week 14, with many directing their anger squarely at the head coach.
“Fire Matt Rhule bruh. This shit is embarrassing. Fire Dana Holgorsen, tf was Troy Dannen doing extending them?? Go Big Red till I’m dead,” one fan tweeted.
Fire Matt Rhule bruh. This shit is embarrassing. Fire Dana Holgorsen, tf was Troy Dannen doing extending them??
Go Big Red till I’m dead💔💔💔
— Jason (GBR 7-4, GSW 10-10, SKOL 4-7) (@OwnedbyJMoney) November 28, 2025
“Fire Matt Rhule! #GBR,” another fan tweeted.
Fire Matt Rhule! #GBR
— Warren_Buffett (@aje0420) November 28, 2025
The criticism focused heavily on the lack of progress over Rhule’s tenure.
“Matt Rhule has absolutely nothing to show for after 3 yrs. Fire him,” one fan tweeted.
Matt Rhule has absolutely nothing to show for after 3 yrs. Fire him.
— HUSKER POWER (@AliwaTareq) November 28, 2025
“Good luck in the NFL Emmett Fire Matt Rhule I’m sick of this,” another fan tweeted.
Good luck in the NFL Emmett
Fire Matt Rhule I’m sick of this.— derek (@jett2xx) November 28, 2025
Others pointed out the irony of the timing.
“I can’t believe Nebraska fans celebrated Matt Rhule’s extension,” one fan tweeted.
The frustration is compounded by the recent drama surrounding Rhule’s future. Just weeks ago, Rhule was the prime candidate for the vacant Penn State job following the firing of James Franklin. The connection seemed logical, Rhule played linebacker for the Nittany Lions and had been hired at Temple in 2013 by Pat Kraft, Penn State’s current athletic director.
According to a CBS Sports report, Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen shed light on his conversations with Rhule when the rumors were at their peak.
“Matt’s message to me was: ‘I grew up there, I played there, it’ll always be special to me, but Nebraska’s home,’” Dannen said. “Two things are very important to retaining a coach when they’re the envy of someone else’s eye.
“One is that you can put them in a position to be successful, because the salary is available almost anywhere, but can they win? Matt is in that position where he says, ‘I can win in Nebraska. Not that I couldn’t win at Penn State, but I can win at Nebraska.’”
MORE: All Signs Point to Same About Dylan Raiola’s Transfer Portal Move As Matt Rhule Faces Reality
Rhule addressed these rumors directly after the game against Penn State, dismissing the idea that he was close to leaving Lincoln.
“No,” Rhule said. “I love these guys. I wanted to be their coach. I’ve always wanted to be their coach. To come here and be out there with them, even though the result wasn’t what we wanted, I’m always proud of them and happy to be with them.”
This commitment resulted in a substantial financial investment from the university. According to a report by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Rhule signed a two-year contract extension that runs through 2032. The deal also increased his buyout from $5 million to $15 million, signaling Nebraska’s long-term faith in his leadership despite the rocky finish to the regular season.
I feel so sorry for Dylan Raiola having wasted two years playing for the worst group of coaches in the Big Ten, lead by Donovan’s uncle who is the worst OL coach in the history of Nebraska football!
Dave