Matt Rhule on Bob Wager's resignation: 'I appreciate him and wish his family the best'

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule commended tight ends coach Bob Wager Monday for resigning last week after a DUI stop near Pinnacle Bank Arena. “I don’t judge people for their tough moments or their worst moments,” Rhule said. “I judge them by how they respond.

I’m thankful for him. It was a short time, but he brought some recruits, he brought some of his kids here. I appreciate him and wish his family the best.

” The former coach at Arlington (Texas) Martin High School, Wager signed tight end Ismael Smith Flores and receiver Jeremiah Charles. Wager’s son, Gage, is a walk-on running back for the team as well. Josh Martin, Wager’s replacement, recently coached tight ends for four years at SMU and developed two NFL Draft picks.

A high school coach in 2022, Martin took a special teams analyst job under Rhule this year. “Josh’s has done it at two places, and he’s had guys go on to the NFL,” Rhule said of Martin, who also worked at Arizona State. Rhule was impressed with Martin’s drill work with young players Monday.

Martin’s hire as a special teams analyst was part of a plan, Rhule said, to have coaches “waiting in the wings” for promotion. “So as guys have opportunities and move on, we’re fortunately in a situation like this,” Rhule said. “We don’t have to go out and hire someone new.

We can go out and hire guys within the organization who know our systems and understand our way of life. ” .