Nebraska Fires Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen After Four-Game Losing Streak

Matt Rhule relieves Dana Holgorsen of offensive coordinator duties

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has fired offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen following a period of significant offensive stagnation. According to a report from On3, the decision was finalized after the Cornhuskers suffered a fourth loss on Friday night against Illinois. Glenn Thomas, who serves as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, will take over play-calling responsibilities for the remainder of the 2026 season.

The move marks a sharp reversal in Rhule’s stance on his offensive leadership. Just five days ago, as reported by sports.yahoo.com, Rhule had defended Holgorsen by calling him “one of the best offensive minds of our generation.” However, the Friday night loss at Illinois—a 24-13 defeat—forced a change in direction. The Huskers struggled to find rhythm during that game, managing to score on only two of their nine possessions.

Rhule addressed the decision in a statement, acknowledging the frustration felt by the program and its supporters. “Like so many of you, I am angry, I am disappointed and I am frustrated with our results this season,” Rhule said. He noted that while Holgorsen possesses a “fantastic offensive mind” and has been a strong leader, the current offensive plan and execution are simply not working.

The statistical collapse of the Nebraska offense

The decision comes as the Cornhuskers face a stark statistical decline. At the start of the 2026 season, Nebraska appeared to be a dominant force, maintaining a 5-0 record and averaging 43.6 points per game. Since that initial surge, the team has gone 0-4, with scoring plummeting to an average of just 13.5 points per game during the losing streak.

Nebraska has fired offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. Statement from coach Matt Rhule: “Like so many of you, I am angry, I am disappointed and I am frustrated with our results this season. As the head coach, I am ultimately responsible for every aspect of our…”

— https://x.com/mitchsherman/status/2119127323018670170

The efficiency of the unit has become a primary concern for the coaching staff. Despite a relatively strong overall ranking in total yardage, the ability to convert yardage into points has vanished. A comparison of the season’s performance highlights the volatility:

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Metric	Early Season (5-0 Start)	Current Skid (0-4 Stretch)
Points Per Game	43.6	13.5
Total Scoring (4-game span)	N/A	54 total points

The struggle is particularly evident in the ground game. While Nebraska averaged 246 yards rushing against a nonconference schedule, that number has dropped to 141 yards per game against Big Ten opponents, according to sports.yahoo.com. This lack of balance has placed immense pressure on quarterback Anthony Colandrea. While Colandrea maintained a 69% completion rate during the first three nonconference games, his efficiency has dipped to 61% across six conference games, accompanied by seven interceptions—a figure that ties for last in the Big Ten.

A timeline of Holgorsen’s tenure in Lincoln

Holgorsen’s time at Nebraska was characterized by a rapid ascent through the coaching ranks. He joined the program in November 2024 as an offensive consultant after leaving a similar role at TCU. His impact was immediate; he was appointed offensive coordinator just one week later when Matt Rhule moved Marcus Satterfield to a different role. He continued in that capacity through 2025, serving as the full-time coordinator.

Nebraska Fires Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen After Four-Game Losing Streak — Photo: sports.yahoo.com

Before arriving in Lincoln, Holgorsen spent several years as the head coach at Houston, where he compiled a 31-28 record from 2019 to 2023. While his pedigree as an offensive strategist was well-established, the recent inability to score more than 20 points in any game during the current four-game slide ultimately outweighed his historical reputation.

Nebraska Football Fires Offensive Coordinator Dana Holgorsen After Fourth Straight Loss

The immediate future for the Cornhuskers involves a difficult three-game closing stretch. The team is scheduled to travel to Rutgers for Week 11, followed by a home game against Ohio State. The season will conclude with a high-stakes rivalry matchup against Iowa. Rhule indicated that he will continue to evaluate the entire program through the end of the season, suggesting that further changes could be on the horizon.

“The Nebraska fan base has high expectations and I embrace them,” Rhule said. “Our entire program is determined to finish this season strong.”