Nebraska has officially hired Matt Rhule to be its next head coach, the school announced Saturday.

Rhule, who led turnarounds at Temple and Baylor before trying his hand at the NFL, was fired as coach of the Carolina Panthers earlier this year in his third season with the franchise.

"It is a tremendous honor to be chosen to lead the Nebraska Football program," Rhule said.

"When you think of great, tradition-rich programs in college football Nebraska is right at the top of the list.  The fan base is second to none, and I consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to coach in Memorial Stadium on Tom Osborne Field.

"It is a privilege to welcome Coach Matt Rhule, his wife Julie, and their family to Nebraska," athletic director Trev Alberts said.

"Coach Rhule has created a winning culture throughout his coaching career, and he will provide great leadership for the young men in our football program.

When Rhule got his previous two jobs -- Baylor and Temple -- both programs had deep depths to overcome.

Baylor was in the aftermath of a massive Title IX scandal and only had one player committed when Rhule took over the program.

In both cases, Rhule tore the program down to the studs and rebuilt them in his image -- one of development, toughness and high-IQ football

Rhule won the AAC with Temple, bringing home just the second conference championship in program history

Rhule will have an opportunity to rebuild the Cornhuskers and potentially bring back some of the physicality fans have missed since the heyday of the Blackshirt era of Nebraska football.