Music is the universal language… to get college football coaches to stay where they are. The college football coaching carousel is already in full swing, with plenty of head coaches sent packing (most with massive, lucrative buyouts) and a number of vacant positions at big-time schools. One of the most notable moves was LSU dismissing Brian Kelly. That’s turned into a whole mess, with the Tigers athletic director (Scott Woodward) even getting fired after the Louisiana Governor got involved. Another job opening that many notable head coaches have been eyeing his Penn State. James Franklin was ousted after a lackluster start to the season, and many were connecting Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule to that position. Only problem is that Rhule would have had to leave the Cornhuskers – and consequently some concert tickets – if he would have wanted to take over for the Nittany Lions. However, that rumor was quickly proven to be untrue when Rhule inked a contract extension earlier this week. Matt Rhule is now set to be with the Cornhuskers through 2032, and though the extension didn’t include a pay bump, it does feature a $15 million buyout (every college coach’s dream). Now why would Matt Rhule sign a two-year extension with Nebraska when he was considered to be a highly sought after coach in the college football landscape? He could have gotten more money, he could have went to a bigger program, and he could have potentially upgraded his extension and lock in a contract that extended further than 2032. Well… it sounds like it had something to do with a little Cross Canadian Ragweed concert that’s set to take place at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium in 2026. On Saturday, August 22, The Boys From Oklahoma concert – with Cross Canadian Ragweed and the Turnpike Troubadours – will take place at the University of Nebraska. And they’ll be joined by special guests Cody Jinks, Flatland Cavalry and American Aquarium. It certainly sounds like one heck of a musical event, and if I had to guess, it’ll be a tough ticket to get. According to Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen, that 2026 concert was used as leverage to keep Matt Rhule at Nebraska. He explained in a press conference announcing Rhule’s extension that he may or may not have known that his head coach’s favorite band was the Turnpike Troubadours, and he may or may not have utilized next year’s country music concert to convince Matt Rhule to stay put: “I will tell you that, and this is mostly joking, but a turning moment for us was when we announced the Boys from Oklahoma and Turnpike Troubadours concert. And Matt said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ He turned and he has a Turnpike Troubadours poster framed on his desk. He said, ‘That’s my very favorite group.’ I said, ‘You ain’t getting tickets unless you’re here.'” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hurrdat Sports (@hurrdatsports) Hey… it looks like it worked. And you might remember that, back in April, the biggest red dirt reunion of all time took place in Stillwater, Oklahoma – where Cross Canadian Ragweed got started. They put aside their differences, had a reunion and made their triumphant return to the stage after a 15-year hiatus for their four-night run of “The Boys From Oklahoma” shows at Boone Pickens Stadium. It was a massive hit, which undoubtedly inspired this 2026 concert in Nebraska… and inadvertently helped keep Matt Rhule as the Cornhuskers head coach.The post “Ain’t Getting Tickets Unless You’re Here” – Nebraska AD Jokes He Used ‘Boys From Oklahoma’ Concert Keep Matt Rhule As Cornhuskers Head Coach first appeared on Whiskey Riff.