Nebraska fires offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen after fourth straight loss
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The gist
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule fired offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen a day after a 24-13 loss at Illinois.
The Huskers fell to 5-4 after a 5-0 start; Glenn Thomas takes over play-calling.
Background
Dana Holgorsen is Nebraska's offensive coordinator and play caller, and a former head coach at West Virginia and Houston. He first arrived in Lincoln in November 2024 as an offensive consultant, was promoted to play caller within about a week, and was made full-time offensive coordinator that December, replacing Marcus Satterfield. Nebraska opened the 2026 season 5-0, then lost to Indiana, Oregon, Washington and Illinois, and head coach Matt Rhule said the offensive plan and execution were 'simply not working.'
How it unfolded
- Nov 5, 2024Dana Holgorsen joins Nebraska as an offensive consultant.
- Nov 12, 2024Less than a week later, he is promoted to offensive coordinator and play caller.
- Dec 17, 2024Nebraska announces Holgorsen as its full-time offensive coordinator, with Marcus Satterfield remaining on staff.
- Oct 31, 2026Nebraska loses 17-10 at home to Washington on Halloween night, its third straight loss after a 5-0 start; the offense totals 355 yards.
- Nov 1, 2026SI columnist Jeremy Pernell publishes commentary calling for Matt Rhule to move on from Holgorsen.
- Nov 4, 2026Holgorsen tells the media the offense was 'pressing' against Washington and says 'It's on me for not recognizing that.'
- Nov 6, 2026Nebraska loses 24-13 at Illinois, its fourth straight defeat.
- Nov 7, 2026Matt Rhule fires Holgorsen less than 24 hours after the Illinois loss; co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas takes over play-calling duties.
Key terms
- offensive coordinator
- A coach responsible for a gridiron football team's offense, ranking below the head coach.
- offensive consultant
- A specialist who advises a sports team on offensive strategy and tactics.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Rhule said he is 'angry' and 'disappointed' with the results, called the offensive plan and execution 'simply not working,' and said that while Holgorsen has a 'fantastic offensive mind,' 'we need a change.'
- Analysts
- SI columnist Jeremy Pernell argued Rhule needed to move on from Holgorsen, saying the offense 'lacks consistency,' 'lacks creativity' and 'lacks answers when opposing defenses adjust.'
- Caution
- Holgorsen himself said the offense was 'pressing' against Washington and took responsibility for not recognizing it.
Still unverified
On3's Pete Nakos reported that Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea is expected to be among the highest-paid quarterbacks in college football next season, with the deal reportedly negotiated over several weeks.