Nebraska coach Matt Rhule talks about rebuilding his staff for 2026

Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule doesn't think highly of his performance last season. Rhule sat down with Adam Breneman to talk about his struggle to find a balance between being hands-on and hands-off.

It was Rhule's third year with the program, and people were expecting a big jump that never quite came. The Huskers finished the 2025 season with a 7-5 record.

Nebraska enters 2026 with a new quarterback after starter Dylan Raiola transferred to Oregon. They also face one of the toughest schedules in the Big Ten with games against Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State.

The Husker coach appeared on Next Up with Adam Breneman and talked about his frustration with the 2025 season.

I did a bad job last year. I was too hands-off at times, and other times I was too hands-on. I didn't do a good job, and I did a lot of self-reflecting. What are my strengths, and I think you always hire for your weaknesses.

The Huskers had significant staff turnover following the end of the 2025 regular season. Geep Wade takes over as the team's offensive line coach. Rob Aurich replaces John Butler as the Huskers' defensive coordinator.

Nebraska also added edge rushers coach Roy Manning and run game coordinator Lonnie Teasley. Rhule said that following the changes, he sat the staff down and explained his plans for the upcoming season.

What I try to do differently this year is once the staff was settled, walk them through what I want from an assistant coach. Here's what matters to me. Here's the strategy. From that strategy you guys figure out the tactics.

Nebraska opens the 2026 season with a home game. The Huskers will host Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11:00 a.m. on FS1.

Matt Rhule told me he got it wrong last season.

He struggled to find the right balance between being hands on and hands off ⬇️⬇️@NextUpBreneman x @USATpic.twitter.com/9ggHWgZAoC

— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) July 15, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska coach Matt Rhule talks about rebuilding his staff for 2026