Dylan Raiola's Uncle Donovan Fired by Nebraska Amid Transfer Portal Rumors
Nebraska has fired offensive line coach Donovan Raiola, head coach Matt Rhule confirmed in a statement to Greg Smith and Pete Nakos of Rivals and On3.
"I informed Donovan Raiola today that he will not be retained as our offensive line coach," Rhule told Nakos. "We thank Donovan for his contributions to Nebraska Football over the past four years and wish him the best moving forward."
Raiola, who has spent four seasons as the team's OL coach, is the uncle of sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Pass protection was at times a problem for the Huskers this season. Dylan was sacked a season-high nine times in an Oct. 17 matchup with Minnesota, then suffered a season-ending injury on a sack in a Nov. 1 matchup with USC.
The Cornhuskers ultimately closed out a 7-5 regular season record with back-to-back losses at Penn State and against visiting Iowa.
Raiola spent four seasons coaching the Chicago Bears' offensive line before joining the Huskers in 2022. He the only full-time coach to remain with the program when Matt Rhule took over ahead of the 2023 season.
The report of his dismissal comes amid rumors that his nephew is considering entering the transfer portal ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Dylan Raiola was originally committed to Georgia for seven months before he flipped to Nebraska ahead of the 2024 season.
He completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 2,000 yards with 18 touchdowns and six picks through nine games of his sophomore season before he suffered his season-ending broken fibula.
Eighteen days after Raiola's injury, his younger brother Dayton announced his decommitment from the Cornhuskers. He had pledged to join Nebraska back in September 2024.
CBS Sports' Chris Hummer then reported on Nov. 26 that Raiola had stayed with the Cornhuskers last winter after having "informal conversations with other programs about potentially entering the transfer portal."
According to Hummer, "there is a sense in Lincoln that this offseason may be different as Nebraska is bracing for Raiola to explore leaving."
Rhule seemed to indicate in a press conference last Wednesday that he expected Raiola to return next year. He told reporters the quarterback had made "tremendous progress" in his sophomore season, but that he wanted to see him "make a jump" in year three.
"He's got to become the quarterback that we all know that he can be... I'm anxious to see him do it," Rhule said.
Nebraska has just 10 players signed to its 2026 class after last week's early signing period, leaving it listed at No. 113 in the nation by 247Sports composite rankings.
Should Raiola leave when the transfer portal opens in January, Rhule will have even more work to do when building his 2026 class this winter.
