Which Big Ten football coach is going through the worst right now? No problem, Matt Rhule.

For the second-year boss, everything was going well until two days ago. He was actually playing golf in Scotland. Most likely won’t travel there again.

While he was overseas, Trev Alberts, his athletic director, was quietly hired by Texas A&M. The same man who had tapped Rhule to bring back order in Lincoln the previous year.

Since Frank Solich was unintentionally fired 21 seasons ago, the once-proud program—which has five national titles in the last 53 years and has only missed five others—has essentially been in disarray.

Since Solich was let go, Rhule is the fifth coach. Throughout his seven seasons, Bo Pelini won 71% of his games. The other three all faltered, none more so than Scott Frost, whom Rhule replaced inadvertently (there was a temporary coach).

Frost finished 16–31 overall and only 10–26 in Big Ten contests. Did not anticipate that happening. Nebraksans, who expected the native son to elevate the program to unprecedented levels, didn’t feel the same way.

By hiring Rhule, Alberts ventured beyond the school’s comfort zone, and the former head coach of the Carolina Panthers is off to a strong start. During a 5-7 inaugural season, his first team lost four games by a field goal and one in overtime, narrowly missing out on a bowl.

Recruiting is improved, the facilities are top-notch with an upgrade on the way and the guy seems to generally want to be there.

Now, his boss is leaving. And Nebraska is about to hire an athletic director without the benefit of a sitting university president. Awkward.

Before joining the NFL, Alberts was a standout player at Nebraska and appeared to be a lifer. up till he wasn’t. After working at his alma mater for less than three years, Alberts has left. According to reports, the new job at College Station pays $2 million annually.

Give Alberts credit for landing Rhule and retaining his basketball coach, Fred Hoiberg, who he inherited.

The selection of a new AD will undoubtedly involve significant input from the football coach. Both candidates with and without ties to Nebraska are present. With everything that has just transpired, WITH might not be as important.