Matt Rhule says Nebraska fan yelled F-bombs at his teenage daughter. 'Not coaching for him' - USA Today
Over the past several weeks, Nebraska football has seen its once-promising 2026 season spiral, with three consecutive losses following a 5-0 start that had long-suffering Cornhuskers fans dream about brighter days ahead.
The recent downturn hasn't just directed frustration and ire at fourth-year head coach Matt Rhule. It's extended to his family, too.
During a news conference on Monday, Nov. 2, two days after a 17-10 loss to Washington, Rhule recounted a moment after the loss to the Huskies in which a Nebraska fan verbally and profanely accosted Rhule's 13-year-old daughter.
“I love our fans, but a guy walked up to my 13-year-old daughter and was like, ‘F you and F your dad,'" Rhule said. "I’m not gonna keep coaching if it means my kids grow up screwed up. I'm not gonna grow up coaching to see my daughter shook. I'm gonna go fight for the fans from Red Cloud that drive here.
"I'm gonna go fight for the fans that, yeah, they get passionate, they boo, they throw a bottle. ... I get all of that. But the guy that attacked my 13-year-old daughter, I'm not coaching for him."
The loss to Washington — which came after Nebraska gave up 14 points in 15 seconds to squander what had been a 7-3 lead with 1:30 remaining — was the Huskers' third in a row, each of which has been decided by seven points or fewer. As the game got out of reach following an Anthony Colandrea interception returned for a touchdown Nebraska fans threw objects on the field at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska to show their displeasure.
The fan outburst at Rhule's daughter had the Huskers' coach have consequential conversations with his family after the game.
"You guys can ask me whatever you want, but please don't question anybody's integrity or effort," Rhule said. "I said to my daughters, ‘If daddy’s gotta retire, if I have retire because I don’t want you guys growing up in that environment’... Julie (Rhule's wife) has one rule: there’s no crying at the games. We’re at the Panthers and they’re chanting ‘Fire Matt Rhule’ and Bryant (Rhule's son) is on the field…my dad’s on the field, my son, that’s all part of being a coach’s kid. I get all of that, man. My wife’s like ‘Head held high, you never cry.’ But a grown man walks up to my daughter…it’s not about me and my kids. It’s about (Nebraska quarterback Anthony) Colandrea. It’s about their parents in the stands. It’s about the fans who care.
"This is about the people that are passionate and with us. We’re gonna keep fighting until they day they tell me to leave. I’m not leaving. I’m not quitting. I’m fighting for those people. For the people who are listening to the game while they’re on a combine. We are going to fight for those people. But please don’t ever question how hard these kids are working or how hard these coaches are working or how hard I’m working.”
Nebraska is 24-22 under Rhule, who previously coached at Baylor and Temple at the college level before moving on to the NFL with the Carolina Panthers. During that time, the Huskers haven't finished better than 7-6. Last season, while Rhule's name was being widely connected to the open job at Penn State, he signed a two-year contract extension through the 2032 season. His deal is 90% guaranteed.
For as much as the incident with the fan and his daughter bothered Rhule, he said it won't deter his family or his team.
“My 10-year-old, she texted me," Rhule said. "She was like ‘Mom had the question for us: is this too much for you guys?’ She was like ‘Dad, I love Nebraska. I love living in Nebraska. I love Nebraska football. I love the players. I’m tough. This is just teaching me life lessons. Please don’t quit.’ How do you keep the team motivated? You know what I’m going to say to them? Don’t quit.”
