Is the ‘Rhule School’ a Jewel?

The new Husker head football coach has been doing things in an unconventional way since he was hired in late November

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, the "Rhule School" is now officially in session. Although Matt Rhule has yet to coach even a Husker spring game, he's already shown a knack of doing things a bit differently.

Perhaps nowhere else has his unconventional approach been more evident than the assembling of his football staff. First he hired an offensive coordinator (Marcus Satterfield) and gave him a $1.4 million contract making him the highest-paid assistant in Husker school history. Next he hired Garret McGuire as his wide receivers coach. What's so unusual about that? McGuire is the youngest assistant (24 years old) in all of the Power Five Schools.

Rhule also hired Bob Wager as his tight ends coach. What makes this hire a bit unusual is that Wager has never coached college at any level. In fact, for the past 17 years, Wager has been a high school coach at Arlington Martin High in Texas.

Do you want another example? Last week, Rhule did something that's never been done in all of Husker football history. He offered a scholarship to a player who is still in the eighth grade. Yes - you heard me correctly - the eighth grade. His name is Tory Pittman and he plays football at Buffett Middle School in Omaha.

Husker fans better get used to rhe Rhule School. I don't think the new coach is done turning heads at Nebraska.

The all-time volleyball record?

I'm a big fan of John Cook and the Husker volleyball program. Each year, Cook finds a way to recruit and develop some of the nation's most talented volleyball players. He has a .870 win rate and has four national championships in his resume.

So what's next on the horizon? With the help of Trev Alberts and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen,  Cook has put together a volleyball match that will take place at Memorial Stadium on the eve of the Huskers' season opener, on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Minnesota. The volleyball match will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30. The Huskers will host the UNO Mavericks that night.

Why is the match going to be played outside in the summer? Great question. The venue - if the weather holds out - will give Nebraska a chance to break the all-time attendance record for a college volleyball game set by Wisconsin (18,755) in 2021. Memorial Stadium holds more about 85,000 for football. How many will attend this game?

A lot. I think.

Much will depend on the weather, but if conditions are dry, look for Nebraska to shatter the attendance record. If 40,000 fans show up, it's hard to imagine any other school breaking the record.
I can't wait to see the game. It'll be great for UNL volleyball, the state of Nebraska and the game of volleyball.

Jordan Westerkamp's grand opening

Last week on our podcast, grandson Will and I had a great visit with former Husker wide receiver great Jordan Westerkamp.

One of the questions we asked him was what he was doing these days. He told us about a business venture he has just started. The company's name is Major Sports Performance Wheaton. 

If you live in or around Wheaton, Illinois, you should attend their Grand Opening this Saturday, March 4, from noon to 3 p.m. The address is 929 W. Liberty Drive, Wheaton 60187. Food and beverages will be served. Oh, and you'll get to meet Jordan Westerkamp. What's not to like about that!

How ’Bout Them Huskers

This week's podcast episode is an interview Will and I did with former Husker linebacker Josh Banderas. Josh is our first "legacy" player we've had a chance to visit with. Last year, we had his father Tom on our show. Tom was a tight end at Nebraska in the mid-’80s.

Josh talks about his Husker career and the time he spent after he graduated in 2016. He shares his thoughts about some of the challenges he experienced when a new coaching staff came in before his junior season. Josh compares his experience with that of what the players are likely to experience with Matt Rhule and his staff.

Josh also talks about some of the reasons Scott Frost failed at Nebraska. And he offers his prediction of how many games Nebraska will win this fall.

Thanks so much to Josh for taking time to visit with us.