Athlon Sports has unveiled its list of coaches most likely to win their first national championship in 2025, and while no Big 12 coaches cracked the Top 10, one former Big 12 name—now in the Big Ten—earned a mention: Nebraska’s Matt Rhule.
The Top 10 was loaded with familiar faces: Texas’ Steve Sarkisian led the list, followed by James Franklin (Penn State), Dan Lanning (Oregon), Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame), Brian Kelly (LSU), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), Mario Cristobal (Miami), Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss), Josh Heupel (Tennessee), and Sherrone Moore (Michigan).
But Rhule was one of several coaches featured in Athlon’s “Next Tier/Longshots” category, alongside the likes of Lincoln Riley, Billy Napier, and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham.
Matt Rhule’s Rebuild in Lincoln Might Be Gaining Momentum
After taking over a struggling Nebraska program in 2023, Matt Rhule went 5-7 in his first season, finishing 4th in the Big Ten West, and then went 7-6 in 2024, which was a 12th place finish in the Big Ten, after the league removed divisions. But in both years, Rhule went 3-6 in the Big Ten, good for a 6-12 overall league record.
The buzz in Lincoln centers around Dylan Raiola, the five-star quarterback and Georgia flip who gives Nebraska its most exciting QB prospect in decades. If Raiola is the real deal, and Rhule’s defense continues trending upward, Nebraska could emerge as a dark horse in the Big Ten.
Rhule is no stranger to turnarounds. He turned Temple and Baylor around. In Philadelphia, the Owls were 2-10 his first year, before getting back-to-back 10 win seasons in Years 3 and 4 (2015 and 2016). Then at Baylor, the Bears were 1-11 in his first year (2016), before going 11-3 in 2019 and winning the Big 12 Championship.
All that being said, it’s difficult to see a real path from the Huskers this fall, but Rhule’s history suggests he might be ready to surprise some people in 2025.
