Nebraska Coach Matt Rhule Cites Daughter's Confrontation With Fan

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule told fans on Monday to remain steady in the wake of a confrontation involving his 13-year-old daughter. The incident allegedly took place after the Cornhuskers lost 17-10 at home to Washington on Saturday night. Rhule said a man approached his daughter and yelled at her, an event he described as a turning point for the team's culture.

The game ended when Washington quarterback Jaren Hall completed a fourth-and-18 pass for a touchdown during the final two minutes. Nebraska had held a 7-3 lead at the two-minute timeout. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw an interception 15 seconds later, which resulted in a defensive touchdown for the Huskies. Fans threw trash onto the field following the play.

Rhule, who is 51, is in his fourth year at Nebraska. The team is 5-3 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play. They started the season 5-0. All three of their losses came after holding a fourth-quarter lead. Rhule noted that his overall record at Nebraska is 24-22.

“A guy walked up to my 13-year-old daughter and was like, ‘F-U and F your dad,’” Rhule said. “I’m not going to keep coaching if it means my kids grow up screwed up. I’m not going to see my daughter shook.”

Rhule acknowledged that fans boo and throw bottles. He said he is not coaching for the specific fan who accosted his daughter but for the supporters who stay with the team through difficult stretches. He compared the team's situation to a boat on a rocking sea, asking fans not to make the water rougher.

“You get to these moments and the water is rocky, the ocean is rocky,” Rhule said. “Just steady in the boat, man. Steady in the boat. Don’t take a rocking boat and a rocking sea and rock it even more, man. You can’t control what’s outside the boat.”

Rhule confirmed that offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen will remain in his position. He stated that he intends to continue coaching until the university asks him to leave. “I’m not leaving, I’m not quitting,” he said.