Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule said he would consider retiring from coaching football if it meant protecting his family. Rhule claimed a fan verbally accosted his teenage daughter following the team's loss to Washington on Saturday.
"I love our fans, but a guy walked up to my 13-year-old daughter and was like, ‘F you and F your dad,'" Rhule told reporters at his weekly press conference. "I’m not going to keep coaching if it means my kids grow up screwed up. You know, I’m not going to [keep] coaching and see my daughter shook."
He added that while fans are passionate and may boo or throw objects, such as bottles, this incident crossed a line. Rhule told his daughter, "If daddy’s gotta retire, if I have to retire because I don’t want you guys growing up in that environment…"
Rhule clarified that he does not plan to leave his coaching position. The situation was further softened when his wife asked their daughters if the criticism directed at their father was becoming too much. Their 10-year-old daughter responded by texting him encouragement not to quit, stating, "Dad, I love Nebraska. I love living in Nebraska. I love Nebraska football. I love the players. I’m tough. This is just teaching me life lessons. Please don’t quit."
The Cornhuskers lost to Washington 17-10, marking their third consecutive defeat. The loss brought Nebraska's season record to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten opponents. After the game, some fans in Lincoln booed the team and threw objects onto the field.
Rhule is in his fourth season as head coach of the Nebraska football program, holding a 24-22 record. He previously coached at Temple and Baylor before coaching the Carolina Panthers in the NFL.