They say change is inevitable, and that’s exactly what’s happening with Matt Rhule – who’s giving change a chance. After a 7-6 record, Rhule’s doing everything in his power to build a strong team that has a playoff run this year. But, off the field? He’s out there breaking his set ground rules. He banned any kind of distractions, which especially includes making TikTok videos inside Nebraska’s facility. But now, he’s the one getting TikTok inside the program. Ironic, right? It’s like setting the rules and then stepping on your own toes.
So, what’s the tea behind this TikTok video? A TikTok video posted by Husker volleyball star Harper Murray a week ago caused a stir among Nebraska fans. In a viral video, Matt Rhule dances in Memorial Stadium. This prompted a playful jab from Murray: “@CoachMattRhule, I thought you didn’t like TikTok?!” Welp, turns out Coach Rhule just walked right into the mess. During a February 27 appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Matt Rhule made it clear there would be no more filming TikToks within the Nebraska football facility. And clarified that his TikTok video had a deeper reason.
That strict warning of not using TikTok in the facility created a problem for Matt Rhule, which he did have to address in front of his team. Talking about the entire situation on Huskers Online, Coach Rhule says, “And the players are like, you know, they’re losing their minds because they’re like, ‘You did it in the facility!”’And I said ‘no’, the facility’s the facility. I did it in the concourse, which is a public area. So I had to defend myself on that.” Now, he did all of it just for his daughter, Leona Rhule.
Let’s be real; how can you say no to your daughter’s request, right? Talking about it, Matt Rhule said, “Well, I walked in the training table, and Harper was like, ‘Coach, we need to do a TikTok.’ And, you know, it’s kind of—my Leona is like, ‘Dad, you need to do a TikTok.’ And so I did a TikTok.” Rhule was also amazed at how fast his video went viral and even reached her wife, who doesn’t even have an account. “And I mean, my wife doesn’t have any social media, right? And like, within 15 minutes, she was like, ‘You did a TikTok?’ So that’s how fast it went.”
But it all went well in the end, as when Matt Rhule opened the app, he discovered a ton of things. He says, “So, I’ve had to download TikTok, and I found my daughter all over. She finds people in the facility; I thought I saw 35 of my football players doing TikToks. One of them did it in the facility, which is a hard no.” And that’s all it took for Rhule to change things around the campus.
Now comes the best part. Matt Rhule even saw how his strength staff cooked something up, and they came up with a perfect plan, turning their team into full-blown TikTokers. “So, our strength coach did a TikTok workout this morning with the freshmen, and they were pushing players with their bios and all their cool stuff they love to post on there,” Rhule said. “But they were doing wall sits at the end, and every freshman had to get out and do a 10-second TikTok dance while the rest of the guys did the wall sit. Welcome to old school.” But that’s not the only thing turning heads on the Huskers’ campus…
Matt Rhule sheds light on Dylan Raiola’s progress
Well, Matt Rhule’s team is going to make their much-awaited comeback this season with their prized weapon, Dylan Raiola. He took them to the bowls last season despite a shaky run. Raiola even completed his season throwing for 2,819 yards, 13 TDs, and 11 interceptions for 11 picks. But this spring season, his weight remains a constant issue as his tight jersey video went viral, and then suddenly, 230 lbs became a matter of concern for the entire nation.
But only if Dylan Raiola will let that noise hamper his confidence as he returns on the field for the spring practice on full power, having lost some weight. He said he’s “probably in the best shape.” “I feel great. Went on spring break, came back about nine or 10 lbs lighter,” Raiola added. And that’s actually evident in his skills too. Matt Rhule took notice and praised Raiola for the physical improvements he’s making, along with polishing his leadership skills.
“I think just Dylan’s command of the offense and what we’re doing is just really impressive. So, obviously, that’s growth. But he’s out there today, and we’re in two minutes, and I think TJ was going, and you know, he’s coaching him because, like I said, he just gets it. You know, the plays haven’t changed,” said Rhule. Well, TJ Lateef is going to back Raiola this season and take charge to teach him his strong command over the system. Even TJ is a freak when it comes to his gameplay. This guy completed 152 of 214 passes for 1,965 yards with 13 TDs and just 7 interceptions in 2023.
Coach Rhule further said, “They’ve maybe evolved a little bit, but he has great command of what we’re doing. Great command in the huddle. You know, last year, where adversity maybe would affect him a little bit—some practices he would kind of go down a little bit—now he’s learning much more to be the same guy. And I’m excited about where he’s at, excited about what he’s doing.” Looks like this year Raiola might take the Huskers to new heights.
With improvements in Nebraska’s gameplay and the return of TikTok to campus, this season may prove quite different for Coach Rhule and his team.
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