Bill Belichick wasn’t the only college football coach spotted at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby over the weekend. Matt Rhule also made an appearance at the historic Louisville venue.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers coach attended the Derby dressed in a style that caught attention on social media. While Belichick drew headlines with companion Jordon Hudson, Rhule’s presence went largely unnoticed initially.
Rhule channeled the look of legendary sportswriter Bert Sugar, who died in 2012. The Nebraska coach wore Sugar’s signature fedora along with a tailored suit and dress shirt.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) May 2, 2026
The Derby appearance comes during a crucial offseason for Rhule’s program.
Nebraska faces what many consider a make-or-break season in 2026. The Cornhuskers have struggled to find consistency in Big Ten play and haven’t reached eight wins since 2016.
Anything less than eight wins and a quality bowl appearance would likely increase pressure on Rhule in his fourth season.
The program took a significant hit when starting quarterback Dylan Raiola transferred to Oregon. Raiola started 11 games for Nebraska last season before entering the transfer portal.
Rhule has built his reputation on rebuilding programs under difficult circumstances. He led Baylor from a 1-11 season to 11 wins in three years before jumping to the NFL.
Nebraska opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 against Ohio at Memorial Stadium.
The Cornhuskers face a challenging Big Ten schedule that includes home games against defending national champion Indiana and Ohio State. Both programs finished in the College Football Playoff last season.
The program hasn’t appeared in a bowl game since 2016 under Mike Riley.
