The head football coach of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Matt Rhule, has been married to his wife, Julie Rhule, since 2022. The couple has three kids together. The two met at Penn State University, where Matt was a football player and Julie was a student. Julie was born and grew up in Montoursville, a village located in Pennsylvania.
Her father, Donald Niber, was a forestry teacher at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, and her mother, Donna, studied at West Virginia University. Julie first met Rhule while working at Chili’s at Penn State — she was a waitress, and he worked as a fry cook and grill man. Spending time together on and off the job, they quickly became close friends. After a few dates, it didn’t take long for them to realize they were perfect for each other.
Matt Rhule Kids: One Son, Two Daughters
Matt and his wife, Julie, are raising three kids together: one boy and two girls, Bryant, Vivienne, and Leona. Despite their busy schedules, the couple has raised three wonderful children. Matt’s football career keeps him on the road, while Julie works as a registered dietitian with Sodexo and at Temple University in Philadelphia. Yet, they always make time for their kids, a value Matt learned from his father, Denny.
Rhule reflected, “The core of being a great man is always putting other people first. Being a great father means putting your wife and kids first. Those aren’t hollow words to me. I’ve seen it. Some people never see it. I was blessed. I was around it. I had no excuse for not doing that.“
When his son was being born, doctors told Matt that Bryant, born at 32 weeks, was struggling and fighting for his life. His wife Julie was fighting for her life because of HELLP Syndrome, a life-threatening pregnancy complication that often occurs during the latter stages of pregnancy.
Matt, then an assistant coach at Western Carolina, called both his and Julie’s fathers. When they arrived, Denny, a Nazarene minister, offered a prayer for Julie and Bryant. Everything went well the next day, and Matt’s fatherhood began.
“My son was born and having all kinds of tests,” said Matt. Bryant attends the University of Nebraska, where his father coaches football, while his mom and two younger sisters also live nearby.
Matt never misses the chance to spend time with his kids, whether it’s hanging out with his daughter at the Nebraska football office or just being together at home.
His daughter Leona aspires to play quarterback for the Green Bay Packers one day.
