Matt Rhule found a lot of success in college football before moving on to the NFL. Despite rumors that he might be lured back, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be doing so anytime soon.
When Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma to take the USC job, that opened up tons of speculation about who the Sooners might want to hire to replace him. While Bob Stoops will be the interim head coach for the bowl game, the program wants to bring in a leader who can maintain the level of excellence they’ve had in the Big 12 before they enter the SEC.
One of the names that’d been thrown around a lot is Rhule, who is in his second season with the Carolina Panthers. While he hasn’t found too much success so far, he’s still rebuilding the franchise. But before that, Rhule turned Temple into a winner, going 20-7 in his last two seasons there. Then he took over Baylor at rock bottom and returned them to success, going 11-3 in his third season with the team, which ended in the Sugar Bowl.
It stands to reason he’d be a solid selection if you’re looking for someone to carry forward sustained success in college football. However, it does not sound like Rhule will be interested, at least according to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman.
Have seen some speculation about Matt Rhule to OU. Was told that is not happening.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 1, 2021
“Have seen some speculation about Matt Rhule to OU,” wrote Feldman. “Was told that is not happening.”
The reaction around college football and NFL circles is mixed, depending on who you root for or cover.
Would you say that he’s been Rhuled out? https://t.co/3oG15uF4Xf
— Sooner Tracker (@SoonerTracker) December 1, 2021
Bruce was one of the first to shut down Lincoln Riley to LSU – and was absolutely correct
So I’d take his word here that Matt Rhule is not the guy for Oklahoma #Sooners https://t.co/OV8IgIPDYa
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) December 1, 2021
It’s fine to want Matt Rhule out of Carolina, if that’s your perogative, but if you’re going to do that then at least listen to the CFB folks who’d actually know whether Rhule going back to college is a real possibility. https://t.co/UhSB42G86C
— Julian Council (@JulianCouncil) December 1, 2021
Now, please stop asking. https://t.co/PBzhPo0xZw
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) December 1, 2021
The speculation appears to be moving on now to Clemson DV Brent Venables, Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, and others. But as we’ve learned in the coaching carousel, you never quite know when the next stop is coming and where we’ll all end up.