University of Nebraska football budget reaches $71 million

The University of Nebraska football program has significantly increased its financial investment to compete in the modern college football landscape. According to recent athletic spending data, the football budget has reached $71 million, ranking 12th among 68 major conference schools. This figure represents more than a doubling of the budget in just three years, marking the largest percentage increase in college football spending in the country.

This spending surge is driven largely by a massive expansion of support staff. While legendary coach Tom Osborne managed a staff of nine assistants during his championship era in the 1990s, current head coach Matt Rhule now employs 23 assistants alongside specialized roles in areas such as strategic intelligence, sport science, and player retention.

In addition to the departmental budget, the university is reportedly paying players approximately $30 million this season, a figure that ranks within the top 20 nationally. Despite this aggressive financial push to return the program to its former status, the correlation between increased spending and on-field success remains unproven.