Nebraska Football Head Coach Matt Rhule Invests $3.8 Million to Transform House into Shelter for Homeless Youth
Lincoln, NE – In a powerful act of community leadership and compassion, Nebraska Cornhuskers head football coach Matt Rhule has invested $3.8 million to convert a property into a shelter for homeless youth in Nebraska. The initiative is part of Rhule’s broader commitment to making a lasting impact not just on the field, but off it as well—by uplifting the most vulnerable in the community.
The project, which will see a large residential home fully renovated and outfitted to serve as a long-term safe haven for at-risk and homeless youth, is the latest chapter in Rhule’s ongoing focus on using his platform to inspire change.
Rhule, who took over as Nebraska’s head coach in late 2022, has spoken openly about his desire to build a program that values character, community, and purpose just as much as wins and losses. “Football teaches us about resilience, about overcoming adversity. But it’s not enough to talk about it—we have to live it out,” Rhule said in a statement. “There are too many young people out there struggling to survive, to feel safe, to feel seen. If I can help even a few of them find hope and stability, then that’s more important than any game I’ll ever coach.”
The shelter is expected to provide housing, food, counseling services, and educational support for dozens of teens and young adults who are currently experiencing homelessness. Rhule is working in partnership with local nonprofit leaders and social workers to ensure that the facility is trauma-informed and built around the real needs of Nebraska’s unhoused youth population.
According to state data, thousands of young people in Nebraska experience housing insecurity each year, with many facing challenges related to family instability, abuse, mental health, and substance use. Advocates hope this initiative will serve as a model for how individuals in positions of influence can step in to help address systemic issues with direct action.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln officials have praised Rhule’s efforts, calling them a reflection of the values the university strives to instill in both students and staff. “Coach Rhule is not only building a strong football program, he’s showing what it means to be a leader of integrity and heart,” said UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett. “This shelter will change lives.”
Construction on the shelter is already underway and is expected to be completed by early 2026. Once open, it will operate in collaboration with local agencies to ensure it can provide wraparound support services, mentorship opportunities, and pathways toward independence for its residents.
As Nebraska football continues to rebuild under Rhule’s leadership, this act of generosity signals something much larger than a program resurgence. It’s a reminder that the most impactful victories often happen far beyond the scoreboard.
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