Following their fourth consecutive loss on Friday night to the Illinois Fighting Illini, Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule wasted no time, announcing Saturday afternoon that offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen has been fired. That’s a rapid shift for a program that started the season looking like a real contender.
The Implosion That Cost Holgorsen His Job
This wasn’t some slow burn, folks. Nebraska actually kicked off the season with a strong 5-0 record. But then, it all just fell apart. Over their four-game losing streak, the offense was an absolute no-show, averaging a dismal 13.5 points per game. Think about that: they were giving up 19.5 points per contest on defense, meaning the D was actually holding its own for the most part, but the offense just couldn’t score enough to win. These losses came against some tough opponents, including now-No. 4 Indiana, Oregon, our own Washington Huskies, and that recent heartbreaker against Illinois. The Indiana game was particularly brutal, where Nebraska blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead at home. Now, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas will step up to handle playcalling duties.
Rhule Calls for a “Change” as Numbers Slide
Head coach Matt Rhule didn’t pull any punches in his statement, relayed by The Athletic. He’s “angry,” “disappointed,” and “frustrated” with the results, taking ultimate responsibility for the program. Rhule was clear: “While there are many areas that need improvement, our offensive plan and execution is simply not working.” He acknowledged Holgorsen’s “fantastic offensive mind” and “strong leader” qualities, noting the good work he had done, but ultimately, “we need a change.” Holgorsen was in his third season as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator, arriving in 2024 after head coaching stints at West Virginia and Houston. Looking at the numbers, you can see why Rhule pulled the trigger. This season, before the epic skid, the Cornhuskers offense ranked fourth in the Big Ten in rushing yards with 181.7 per game and fifth in total yards at 425.0 per game. They were seventh in both passing yards (243.3 per game) and points (30.2 per game). Compare that to last year (2025), when they were ninth in total yards and points, or 2024, where they sat 10th in total yards and 11th in points. The team was showing some statistical improvement, but that recent collapse was just too much to overlook.
The Cornhuskers are determined to finish strong, according to Rhule. They’ve got a road trip to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights next week. After that, things don’t get any easier with ranked matchups at home against the Ohio State Buckeyes and a tough road game against archival Iowa Hawkeyes. This coaching change is a clear signal: Nebraska isn’t messing around, and they’re going to fight to turn this thing around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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