Matt Rhule reacts to Nebraska hire of A.D. Troy Bannen

The NU football coach said he knew incoming Huskers AD Troy Dannen on a professional level when Rhule was at Temple and Dannen was leading Tulane. And he’s impressed by what he’s seen.

“I think Troy fits all the criteria that I think we’re all looking for,” Rhule said. “He’s an accomplished athletic director. He’s been on all the big committees, he’s been on the oversight committee. He knows the issues facing college football. He’s an unbelievable guy.

“And it’s no slight to the University of Washington — which is a wonderful place, my sister’s alma mater — but I just know that he wanted to come home and he wanted to be here. I know the announcement went out. I’m fired up, excited to have him. I think the University of Nebraska took a step forward today.”

Rhule said the speed of the hire — former AD Trev Alberts abruptly left for Texas A&M last week — speaks to the quality and quantity of the candidates as well as the job interim Nebraska president Chris Kabourek did leading the search. Rhule declined to comment on the Board of Regents naming Dr. Jeffrey Gold as a priority candidate for NU president because he hadn’t yet been told anything officially.

Rhule said the potential of Nebraska remains evident moving forward. NFL scouts on hand are “blown away” by the new weight room that came online last week and facilities overall.

“It’s amazing what (Dannen) did at Tulane,” Rhule said. “That’s why Washington wanted him; that’s why other people wanted him. And as he said to me, ‘This is just a special place.’”

Freshman and former five-star quarterback prospect Dylan Raiola will throw to Nebraska receivers during Pro Day, Rhule said. That it’s Raiola came down to the freshman not having class and being able to throw.

“Dylan was available so excited for him to have a chance to throw,” Rhule said. “Really it’s more about our other guys having a ball that’s there that they can trust.”