In a world of high-stakes college football, where assistant coaches are often as coveted as head coaches, Nebraska football’s recent decision to lock down running backs coach EJ Barthel with a significant pay raise sent shockwaves through the sport. But what made this move even more dramatic was the rival that Nebraska had to fend off: none other than the University of Iowa. The Hawkeyes, arch-enemies of the Cornhuskers, were reportedly making a strong push to lure Barthel away from Nebraska, adding a layer of tension and controversy to what should have been a routine salary bump.
Barthel, who arrived at Nebraska just a few years ago, has quickly become one of the most respected figures in the program. His work with the running backs, particularly in developing star players, had caught the attention of several top-tier programs across the nation. Iowa, which has a long-standing tradition of solid football and a reputation for poaching coaching talent, saw Barthel’s potential to add fuel to its own offensive scheme, known for its grind-it-out, run-first mentality. This wasn’t just about the money—it was about positioning, and the Hawkeyes knew Barthel’s expertise could be a game-changer for their already formidable roster.
However, the timing of the offer couldn’t have been worse for Iowa. With Nebraska already reeling from years of underperformance and coaching instability, the loss of one of the few promising assistant coaches left a bitter taste in the mouths of the fanbase. It wasn’t just about Barthel’s skills as a coach but the optics of a rival swooping in, not only stealing talent but making a statement that Nebraska was a program that could be poached with relative ease.
But Nebraska wasn’t going to let that happen without a fight. Athletic director Trev Alberts and head coach Matt Rhule, both determined to stabilize the program and steer it toward relevancy, moved quickly. The university offered Barthel a hefty pay raise, reportedly doubling his salary, and made it clear that they viewed him as a cornerstone of the team’s rebuilding process. The offer wasn’t just about numbers, either; Nebraska committed to ensuring Barthel had the resources and support to grow not just the running backs but also the entire offensive unit.
As news of the negotiation spread, the public’s opinion was split. Some saw it as a crucial move to hold onto a promising coach, someone who could help revive Nebraska’s dormant running game. Others, however, were quick to point out the desperation in the deal. Was this a sign that Nebraska was scrambling to hold on to whatever scraps of hope they had left, paying top dollar to keep a coach whose true long-term value still remained unproven? Rivals scoffed, citing the financial missteps that had plagued Nebraska in the past and questioning if a raise of that magnitude could be justified when the program still had a long way to go before it could contend for championships.
What made the situation even more interesting was the fan reaction. Husker fans, already tense from years of mediocrity, had mixed feelings. On one hand, they felt the sting of seeing their program lose relevance to Iowa, a school they’ve long seen as a lesser rival. On the other hand, many believed that keeping Barthel in the fold was a necessary evil, even if it meant paying a premium to avoid further embarrassment.
At the end of the day, Nebraska managed to retain Barthel, sending a clear message that they weren’t ready to accept being anyone’s stepping stone. But the controversy didn’t end with the raise. Nebraska’s decision to fend off Iowa set the stage for a new narrative in the Big Ten: Nebraska, the once-proud powerhouse, was going to have to fight tooth and nail to regain its former glory—one assistant coach at a time.
