He walked out before the steam burst and, minutes later, had one last thing to say as the Husker band blared the fight song.
“GO BIG RED!” That was Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule’s final thought to an approving Pinnacle Bank Arena crowd Saturday afternoon. Rhule, hired two weeks ago, appeared by himself at halftime of the NU-Purdue men’s basketball game, walking out before his name was called and ceremonial steam blasted from several machines.
In a three-minute speech without notes, Rhule said he’d been from Omaha to Scottsbluff and Norfolk to Lincoln. He thanked fans for their support and passion, then fired off a memorable statement of purpose.
“I want to make sure you know one thing about me and one thing about our staff — this is not a job, this is not an opportunity, this is not just another coaching assignment,” Rhule said. “This is a mission for us. I want and we want to bring you the very, very very best football team — not just on 12 Saturdays, or 13 or 14 or 15, eventually. We want to bring the very best student-athletes. We want to bring a team — you want us to win because you love to watch us play.
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“It’s a mission for us to bring that to you because you deserve it, because you appreciate it, and we want to do that — not for you, but with you.”
Rhule recounted the story of being a child — and a Penn State fan — and knowing the “that ‘N’ on that helmet meant the very best of the very best.”
The band started. Rhule said he had one more thing. The band kept playing. He yelled “GO BIG RED!” anyway. Then he yelled it again, walked off the court to applause, met athletic director Trev Alberts at the tunnel and walked briskly away to another appointment.
Nebraska was hosting its first big recruiting weekend under Rhule, with more than 15 high school and transfer prospects on hand.
Photos: Nebraska introduces Matt Rhule as head football coach
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule speaks during an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule speaks during an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Ted Carter (left), Trev Alberts (first left), and Ronnie Green (first right) stand alongside the Rhule family after Matt Rhule (center) was named Nebraska's new head coach during an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Matt Rhule (center), who was announced as Nebraska football's new head coach, speaks to waiting fans outside of the east entrance of Memorial Stadium before an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule walks into an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule smiles during an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule smiles during an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule smiles during an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts (left) poses for a photo with new football coach Matt Rhule at Rhule's introductory news conference Monday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule speaks during an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks at his introductory news conference Monday at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule speaks to fans outside Memorial Stadium on Monday. He held his introductory news conference later in the afternoon.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule is surrounded by media after his introductory news conference Monday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule is surrounded by media after his introductory news conference Monday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson watches Matt Rhule's introductory news conference Monday at Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule waves to fans outside Memorial Stadium on Monday before giving his introductory news conference later in the afternoon.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule throws a signed football outside Memorial Stadium before an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts speaks after head football coach Matt Rhule's introductory press conference Monday at the Hawks Championship Center.
UNL President Ted Carter speaks after head football coach Matt Rhule's introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule waits to speak to fans outside Memorial Stadium before an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule speaks to fans outside Memorial Stadium before an introductory press conference Monday.
Nebraska head football coach Matt Rhule throws a signed football outside Memorial Stadium before an introductory press conference Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, at the Hawks Championship Center.
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'This is a mission for us': Matt Rhule pumps up Husker crowd with halftime speech - Lincoln Journal Star
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