‘Coach Rhule, Man, He Pushes Me Every Day’: Dwayne McDougle on His Transition to Nebraska

The veteran safety followed defensive coordinator Rob Aurich to Nebraska for a reason.

San Diego State transfer Dwayne McDougle is the presumptive starter this season at one of Nebraska's safety spots. | Nebraska Athletics

Dwayne McDougle has followed Rob Aurich before, and he's betting on him to prove the doubters wrong once again.

That was made clear when the fifth-year senior defensive back, who's spent time at Northern Arizona (2022), Idaho (2023-24) and San Diego State (2025), met with the media Tuesday.

From his relationship with Aurich to how Matt Rhule is pushing him to be the best player he can be, here's everything the expected starting safety, who's played in 40 collegiate games, including 22 starts, had to say.

Transitioning to Nebraska

McDougle started all 13 games for Aurich's San Diego State defense in 2025, totaling 55 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, four interceptions, and three pass breakups.

When Aurich took the Nebraska job, McDougle elected to follow him to Lincoln. Asked about the transition, he said NU had delivered a key request.

“It’s been good,” he said. “Coach Rhule, man, he pushes me every day. He gets on everybody, but he gets on me cause he wants to bring the best out of me. And that’s one thing that I told them when I came on my visit. If it’s nothing else, just get me to be my best. That’s one thing that I like about (Nebraska).”

Becoming a Leader in Lincoln

As a junior, McDougle ranked 23rd nationally in interceptions and helped lead a San Diego State defense that finished sixth nationally against the pass. Even so, he felt the need to prove himself to his new teammates in the Big Ten.

He started doing just that by bringing former teammate Owen Chambliss with him. The two transfers began holding their own meetings to help NU's defenders get adjusted to the new-look 4-2-5 scheme.

“As soon as me and Owen got here, we started setting up our own meetings with the defense,” he said. “Doing our own thing, without the coaches. Breaking everything down, because we were already a step ahead of everybody else. Just so everybody could get on the same level as us, so we could go into spring ball ready to go.”

Defensive coordinator Rob Aurich during a Nebraska bowl practice last winter. | Nebraska Athletics

Seeing Aurich Evolve

McDougle has been around Aurich at three different stops now: Idaho, San Diego State, and Nebraska. Through the years, he's watched his defensive coordinator mature and improve his craft.

“He’s better," the senior defensive back said. “We’re in the Big Ten, so he had to adjust. We got to run some different fronts. They run the ball heavier in this conference, so he has to know when to call different stunts.”

Rob Aurich during the Huskers' second practice of spring. | @HuskerFootball on X

What Aurich Has Kept Constant Throughout the Years

Like McDougle, Aurich has had to prove himself throughout his career. Both have gone from the FCS level to the Group of Six and now to the Power Four. The veteran defender has been there with Aurich for the majority of it, watching his defensive coordinator continue to prove others wrong.

“To be honest, everybody doubts the defense (he runs) in every conference that he goes to,” McDougle said. “Like, when we were at Idaho, nobody believed we were going to be a top defense. Nobody thought San Diego was going to be a top defense. But every year, he proves everyone wrong.”

Now, they'll get one more chance to do it together in Lincoln. If McDougle is right, NU will take a step forward defensively this fall.

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