Baylor's Rhule wouldn't jump to NFL unless job is 'next to perfect'
Baylor's Matt Rhule admitted he's open to coaching in the NFL, but only if he comes across a situation that is "next to perfect."
"I don't think I'm dumb enough or naive enough to say that I would never be an NFL coach," he told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I just think, for me, I have such an unbelievable situation here that it would have to be next to perfect. And even then, it would be hard for me to do."
Rhule landed on NFL radars last year following his second season at Baylor. He received an offer to become head coach of the New York Jets, but negotiations fell through when the franchise wouldn't let him pick his own assistants.
"I don't think that I would ever want to see myself or any coach in a situation where you're just subcontracted out for your X's and O's knowledge," he said. "The teams that have won in college football - the Nick Sabans, the Dabo Swinneys - the people that win in pro football - the Mike Tomlins, the Bill Belichicks - they run a complete and total program."
Rhule figures to generate NFL interest again this offseason after leading Baylor to 11 wins and a berth in the Sugar Bowl. The Bears were at rock bottom when he arrived by way of Temple, reeling in the aftermath of the sexual assault scandal that took place under Art Briles.
The 44-year-old is hesitant to leave Baylor, though, citing the volume of coaches at both levels that have been fired without receiving the control they needed to have success.
"That just means that the coach was brought in for his X's and O's," he said. "He was brought in for his play-calling, and that to me is not a recipe for success. We've all seen how the best do it. ... It's a top-to-bottom comprehensive football program - not (a) playbook, (a) program."
- With h/t to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram