Avast ye, me hearties! Former NFL coach Matt Rhule be ponderin' o'er his time with them Panthers, swearin' to revive Nebraska football!
2023-07-08
Arr, me hearties! Young matey Matt Rhule, he be joinin' the Carolina Panthers with grand show o' excitement, but alas! The poor lad be sent packin' without a single trumpet blow, when the team stumbled upon a most disappointin' start t' last season.
In 2020, the Carolina Panthers hired Matt Rhule as their head coach with high hopes of turning the franchise around. Rhule, who had previous success as a college football coach, signed a seven-year contract with the Panthers. However, his tenure in Charlotte was short-lived as he was relieved of his duties after the team managed only one win in their first five games in 2022.Following his departure from the Panthers, Rhule decided to return to the collegiate ranks and accepted a job with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Reflecting on his time in Carolina, Rhule stated that he had learned from his mistakes and wanted to approach things differently in Lincoln. He expressed a focus and desire to prioritize what matters and not let his players go through the same difficulties.
Rhule's time in Carolina was marked by a lackluster record of 11-27. The Panthers struggled on offense, ranking 29th in explosive plays of 20 or more yards. The quarterback position also posed a challenge for the team, leading to the return of veteran quarterback Cam Newton for a second stint with the franchise in the 2021 season.
In Nebraska, Rhule expressed confidence in his ability to rebuild the program and make it a national power. He believed that with the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, the Cornhuskers could be relevant in the new landscape.
The Panthers replaced Rhule with interim coach Steve Wilks, who now serves as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. The franchise introduced Frank Reich as the team's next head coach. Additionally, the Panthers made a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Bears to secure the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft and selected quarterback Bryce Young.