If Penn State hires Matt Rhule, Nebraska would need to move quickly. The hire would depend on timing, roster stability, and whether Nebraska wants continuity or a reset. Below are SportsCasting’s odds for the next coach at Nebraska, followed by candidate breakdowns.
Next Nebraska Coach Odds
| Name | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Campbell | +300 | 25% |
| Dana Holgorsen | +450 | 18% |
| Jon Sumrall | +550 | 15% |
| Alex Golesh | +750 | 12% |
| Ryan Silverfield | +900 | 10% |
| Brian Kelly | +900 | 10% |
| James Franklin | +1000 | 9% |
| Kenny Dillingham | +1100 | 8% |
| Jedd Fisch | +1400 | 7% |
| Lance Leipold | +1600 | 6% |
| Eli Drinkwitz | +3000 | 3% |
| Deion Sanders | +3300 | 3% |
| John Butler | +3300 | 3% |
| Billy Napier | +4000 | 2% |
Matt Campbell Favorite to Take Over at Nebraska
Matt Campbell has been at Iowa State since 2016 and built a stable, culture-first operation. He produced Iowa State’s first 10-win season and made them a regular factor in the Big 12 and a rising name in college football.
His strength is roster development and identity building rather than quick-flash recruiting pushes. Nebraska fits that model, especially if the program wants stability rather than a full stylistic reset.
Campbell is also familiar with the region and the recruiting realities of the Midwest. His approach emphasizes strength in the trenches, incremental growth, and internal leadership. That aligns with how Nebraska wants to win long-term.
The main challenge is contract cost and whether Campbell wants to leave a situation where he has long-term security.
Nebraska would also need to give him time and control. If Rhule leaves early in the cycle, Campbell would be one of the first calls made.
Dana Holgorsen Among Favorites to be Next Nebraska Head Coach
Dana Holgorsen is currently on staff (OC) and already working within the offensive framework Nebraska is installing. That alone gives him an advantage if the Rhule departure happens.
He has head-coaching experience at West Virginia and Houston, with a track record of productive offenses. That would help Nebraska avoid a full reset, which is usually costly in terms of transfers and recruiting class retention.
Holgorsen also understands how to structure staff and game-plans at the Power Five level.
The question is ceiling, a Holgorsen hire leans more toward stability rather than a major program reboot. If Nebraska wants to change direction rather than maintain current plans, they might look elsewhere. But if the timeline is compressed, Holgorsen sits near the top because he can keep the roster intact and keep systems in place.
Jon Sumrall Linked to Nebraska Role
Jon Sumrall has is hat in the ring every time a new Power Four role opens up. He has built his reputation on immediate cultural turnarounds. His success at Troy, where he stacked wins and titles quickly, pushed him into the conversation for nearly every major opening.
He now leads Tulane and is viewed as a fast-rising coach who can stabilize a program and recruit effectively. Nebraska would be drawn to his energy level and ability to build buy-in quickly.
His age (43) works in his favor if the school wants a longer horizon coach rather than a short-term patch. The main question is whether Sumrall can scale what he did at Troy and Tulane to a Big Ten environment. The recruiting base is different, the roster expectations are different, and development timelines are tighter.
Still, his name repeatedly surfaces for a reason, programs believe his blueprint works. Nebraska would see him as a growth hire with upside.
Brian Kelly Could Become Next Nebraska Coach
Brian Kelly arrives in the conversation after his recent firing, but his resume remains one of the strongest in college football. His tenure at Notre Dame showed he can build and sustain a national contender.
His time at LSU did not end the way the school hoped, but the experience level is undeniable. For Nebraska, hiring Kelly would be about instant credibility and a signal of ambition.
He comes with strong organizational methods, clear offensive identity, and national recruiting reach. The challenge is cultural alignment and financial commitment.
Kelly would not be a “reset and develop” hire; he would expect facilities, staff autonomy, and immediate competitiveness. Nebraska would need to decide if it wants to chase that level of expectation.
He is a possibility, but only if Nebraska wants to make a statement rather than remain in project mode.
James Franklin a Possibility for Nebraska HC Job
James Franklin is another coach who enters the market with strong name recognition and experience, but could come after a firing.
His success at Penn State over a long stretch shows he can manage a big-brand program inside the Big Ten. That matters because Nebraska does not need someone learning the conference on the job.
Franklin’s recruiting approach and media management are proven. However, the reasons for his exit at Penn State also carry over , inconsistent performance in top-end games and program plateauing.
For Nebraska, the calculation is whether Franklin’s baseline is still higher than what the program currently has. He can bring a ready-made recruiting blueprint and staff connections. But he would also arrive with expectations of resources and autonomy.
Nebraska could consider Franklin if it wants a coach who can operate immediately in the league without adjustment time.
