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Early Life and Education
Matt Rhule, born on January 31, 1975, grew up in New York City with his parents and two siblings. He attended Penn State University, where he played linebacker for the football team and earned a degree in political science. Rhule went on to earn a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University at Buffalo before starting his coaching career.
Career Beginnings
Rhule’s first coaching job was as a graduate assistant at Penn State, where he worked with the linebackers. He then moved on to various assistant coaching positions at Buffalo, UCLA, Western Carolina, and Temple University. In 2012, Rhule was named head coach at Temple.
Family Life
Rhule is married to Julie Rhule, and the couple has three children: Bryant, Vivienne, and Leona. The Rhule family is known for their strong Christian faith, and Matt has often spoken about the importance of his family and faith in his life.
Bryant Rhule
Bryant is the eldest of the Rhule children, born in 2008. He is an active child who enjoys playing sports and spending time with his family. Matt has often spoken about the lessons he has learned from coaching and how they apply to being a father to Bryant.
Vivienne Rhule
Vivienne is the middle child, born in 2010. She is known for her love of dance and has even been featured in some of Matt’s social media posts showing off her moves. Matt has spoken about how he enjoys watching his daughter pursue her passions.
Leona Rhule
Leona is the youngest of the Rhule children, born in 2013. She is known for her infectious smile and love of animals. Matt has often shared photos of her with the family’s pets on social media.
Coaching Philosophy
Rhule is known for his emphasis on building strong relationships with his players and staff. He has said that he wants his players to know that he cares about them as people, not just as athletes. Rhule also places a strong emphasis on discipline and accountability, both on and off the field.
Temple University
Rhule spent six seasons as head coach at Temple, leading the program to unprecedented success. In 2015, he led the Owls to a 10-4 record and a conference championship, earning him American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors. Rhule’s success at Temple caught the attention of Baylor University, who hired him as their head coach in 2016.
Baylor University
Rhule’s tenure at Baylor was marked by a rebuilding effort in the wake of a sexual assault scandal that rocked the university. Despite the challenges, Rhule was able to lead the program to a 7-6 record in 2018 and an 11-3 record in 2019, including a Sugar Bowl victory. Rhule’s success at Baylor earned him the attention of the NFL.
NFL Career
In 2020, Rhule was hired as head coach of the Carolina Panthers, becoming the first head coach to make the jump from college to the NFL since Chip Kelly in 2013. Rhule’s first season with the Panthers was marked by a COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted the team’s offseason and preseason. Despite the challenges, Rhule was able to lead the team to a 5-11 record, showing promise for the future of the franchise.
Personal Life
Off the field, Rhule is known for his philanthropic efforts. He and his wife, Julie, have been involved with various charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House. Rhule has also spoken about his passion for reading and how he encourages his players to make reading a part of their daily routine.
Conclusion
As a coach, father, and husband, Matt Rhule is known for his strong values and commitment to his family and community. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and accountability, both on and off the field. With his success at both the college and NFL levels, Rhule is sure to leave a lasting legacy in the world of football.
