The Zeitgeist List · coaching
Nebraska: a coaching history
See Nebraska’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Program GOAT
Tom Osborne
3 Dynasty · 14 Blue-Blood seasons
Built by
Bob Devaney
Regional Program III → Dynasty (+56.5)
The fall
Bo Pelini
Blue Blood → Power Program I (−25.8)
Right now
Matt Rhule
the 9th-best of Nebraska's 11 coaches so far
Matt Rhule is the 9th-best of Nebraska's 11 coaches so far.
Stature & coaches, 1936–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
Every coach
2023–now
Matt Rhulecaretaker
National Program II
12–13
2018–2022
Scott Frostcaretaker
Power Program III
16–31
2015–2017
Mike Rileyinheritor
−8.3
19–19
2004–2007
Bill Callahaninheritor
−14.2
27–22
2003–2014
Bo Pelinidecliner
−25.8
67–27
1998–2003
Frank Solichsustainer
−11.7
58–19
1973–1997
Tom Osbornesustainer
+10.2
255–49
1962–1972
Bob Devaneytransformer
+56.5
101–20
1957–1961
William Jenningscaretaker
Regional Program III
15–34
1949–1955
William Glassfordcaretaker
Regional Program I
30–35
1937–1941
Biff Jonescaretaker
Power Program II
28–14