Matt Rhule is one of the most successful and well-paid college football coaches in the United States. He is currently the head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a position he took in November 2022 after being fired by the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). In this article, we will explore Matt Rhule’s salary, net worth, earning career, coaching history, personal life, and how much he makes per year in 2023.
Matt Rhule Salary
Matt Rhule signed an eight-year contract with Nebraska that is worth $74 million. This contract includes a base salary of $5.5 million in his first season, escalating to $12.5 million by 2030 if he remains with the team. Additionally, Rhule is eligible for performance-based bonuses, including a potential $1 million for winning the national championship. Furthermore, the contract features a $7 million base salary pool for Rhule to compensate his assistant coaches, demonstrating the importance of building a strong supporting staff. There are also retention bonuses of $1 million each, payable in March of 2025, 2027, 2029, and December 31, 2030.
Considering the lucrative nature of his eight-year contract with Nebraska, Matt Rhule’s salary as of 2023 stands at an impressive $9.25 million. This substantial figure does not even account for the four $1 million retention bonuses he is set to receive in the coming years. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the contract stipulates a buyout of $7 million should Rhule choose to leave before its completion. Conversely, if Nebraska were to terminate Rhule without just cause, he would receive 90% of the contract’s total worth.
Matt Rhule Net Worth
Matt Rhule’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million as of 2023. This figure is based on his previous earnings as a coach at Temple, Baylor, and Carolina Panthers, as well as his current contract with Nebraska. Rhule’s net worth also includes his assets and investments, such as his house in Waco, Texas.
Rhule’s net worth has increased significantly over the years as he climbed the ranks of college and professional football coaching. In 2016, he was making $4.1 million per year as the head coach at Baylor University. In 2020, he made a transition to the NFL as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. His initial contract with the Panthers valued him at a staggering $62 million, guaranteed over seven years. However, in October 2022, Rhule was let go by the Panthers with approximately $40 million remaining on his contract. So, what is Matt Rhule’s net worth in 2023? Rhule’s return to college football was marked by a significant contract with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Matt Rhule’s net worth is $25 million as he signed an eight-year deal on November 26, 2022, to become the head coach of the Cornhuskers.
Matt Rhule Earning Career
Matt Rhule has spent 22 years as a coach in the college and NFL ranks. He started his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater Penn State in 1998. Over the following decade he served as an assistant at several schools, including Albright College (linebackers), Buffalo (defensive line), UCLA (defensive line), Western Carolina (special teams/linebackers/associate head coach), and Temple (defensive line/quarterbacks/offensive coordinator).
In 2012, he got his first taste of the NFL as an assistant offensive line coach for the New York Giants. He returned to Temple as the program’s head coach in 2013. During his four-year tenure, he led the Owls to their only two ten-win seasons since 1979 and won the American Athletic Conference championship in 2016.
Rhule was hired as Baylor’s head coach following Temple’s victory in the 2016 AAC Championship Game. He helped rebuild the Baylor program from a 1-11 finish in his first season to a 7-6 record and a bowl berth in 2018 to an 11-3 record and appearance in the Big 12 Championship and the Sugar Bowl in 2019. He was voted the Big 12 Coach of the Year by his peers in 2019.
Rhule returned to the NFL in 2020 as head coach of the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers missed the playoffs in each of Rhule’s first two seasons and he was fired after a 1-4 start to 2022.
The following month, Rhule agreed to an eight-year contract to become Nebraska’s head coach. He hopes to turn around the fortunes of the Cornhuskers, who have not posted a winning season since 2016.
Matt Rhule Coaching History
Here is a summary of Matt Rhule’s coaching history:
- 1998: Penn State (volunteer assistant)
- 1998: Albright College (linebackers)
- 1999-2000: Buffalo (defensive line)
- 2001: UCLA (defensive line)
- 2002-2005: Western Carolina (special teams/linebackers/associate head coach)
- 2006: Temple (defensive line)
- 2007: Temple (quarterbacks)
- 2008-2010: Temple (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks)
- 2011: Temple (offensive coordinator/tight ends)
- 2012: New York Giants (assistant offensive line)
- 2013-2016: Temple (head coach)
- 2017-2019: Baylor (head coach)
- 2020-2022: Carolina Panthers (head coach)
- 2023-present: Nebraska (head coach)
Matt Rhule Personal Life
Matt Rhule is married to his wife, Julie, and together they have three children. Rhule is known for being a family man and has spoken publicly about the importance of balancing work and family. He is also a devout Christian and has credited his faith for guiding him through his coaching career8.
Rhule was born and raised in New York City before moving to State College, Pennsylvania, where he joined Penn State’s football team as a walk-on under Joe Paterno. He played for the Nittany Lions for four years and became a three-time Penn State Scholar-Athlete and a 1997 Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State in 1997 and a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University at Buffalo in 2003.
How Much Does Matt Rhule Make Per Year in 2023?
According to his contract with Nebraska, Matt Rhule will make $9.25 million per year in 2023. This amount does not include any bonuses or incentives that he may earn based on the team’s performance. Rhule is one of the highest-paid college football coaches in the country and ranks third in the Big Ten behind Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($9.5 million) and Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh ($9.5 million).
Conclusion
Matt Rhule is a successful and well-paid college football coach who has turned around several programs in his career. He is currently the head coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, a position he took after being fired by the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. He has a net worth of $25 million and a salary of $9.25 million per year in 2023. He has a long and impressive coaching history that spans both college and professional levels. He is also a family man and a devout Christian who values his faith and work-life balance.
Most Asked Questions and Answers About Matt Rhule
Where did Matt Rhule go to college?
Matt Rhule went to Penn State University, where he played linebacker as a walk-on from 1994 to 1997.
How old is Matt Rhule?
Matt Rhule is 48 years old as of 2023. He was born on January 31, 1975, in New York City.
Who is Matt Rhule’s wife?
Matt Rhule’s wife is Julie Rhule, whom he married in 2002. They have three children together.
How many bowl games has Matt Rhule coached in?
Matt Rhule has coached in four bowl games as a head coach: the Boca Raton Bowl in 2015, the Military Bowl in 2016, the Texas Bowl in 2018, and the Sugar Bowl in 2019. He has a record of 1-3 in bowl games.
Why did Matt Rhule leave Baylor?
Matt Rhule left Baylor to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers of the NFL in January 2020. He signed a seven-year contract worth $62 million with the Panthers.
Why did Matt Rhule get fired by the Panthers?
Matt Rhule got fired by the Panthers after a disappointing start to the 2022 season. The Panthers were 1-4 and had lost four straight games by double digits. The team also had issues with injuries, quarterback play, and defense.
Why did Matt Rhule choose Nebraska?
Matt Rhule chose Nebraska because he saw it as an opportunity to rebuild a storied program that had fallen on hard times. He also liked the tradition, fan base, facilities, and conference of Nebraska. He agreed to an eight-year contract worth $74 million with Nebraska in November 2022.
- What is Matt Rhule’s coaching philosophy?
- Matt Rhule’s coaching philosophy is based on building a culture of toughness, discipline, accountability, and family. He emphasizes the importance of developing players as people, not just athletes. He also believes in adapting his schemes to fit his personnel, rather than forcing them to fit his system.
- How many national championships has Matt Rhule won?
- Matt Rhule has not won any national championships as a head coach. His best finish was in 2019, when he led Baylor to an 11-3 record and a spot in the Big 12 Championship and the Sugar Bowl, where they lost to Oklahoma and Georgia, respectively.
- How popular is Matt Rhule among Nebraska fans?
- Matt Rhule is very popular among Nebraska fans, who welcomed him with enthusiasm and optimism. They see him as a proven winner and a leader who can restore Nebraska’s glory days. They also appreciate his passion, charisma, and honesty.