Congrats To Roosevelt Island Home Town Boy Matt Rhule Named Head Coach Of NFL Carolina Panthers Today - His Dad Says It Was Good For Him Growing Up On RI Seeing Different Types Of People

Naming a new head coach of the NFL's Carolina Panthers would not usually be a a topic of interest for Roosevelt Island except today - when Matt Rhule, who grew up on Roosevelt Island in the 1980's, was the person hired to be the coach.

Matt Rhule grew up on Roosevelt Island, worked for the Giants, & still didn't even bother to wait to talk to them...for the freakin' Panthers. A gut punch for the Giants & what they think of their structure, their roster, Gettleman, their QB, everything.

— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) January 7, 2020

According to this October 7, 2017 Waco Tribune-Herald article:

... With his father taking different jobs around the country as a Nazarene minister, Matt was exposed to a lot different cultures and socioeconomic groups.

The most dramatic move for Denny and Gloria Rhule and children Matt and Dana came in 1980 when they moved from Kansas City to New York City. Denny felt a calling to minister to the homeless in the Times Square area of Manhattan.

“It was good for our kids because they saw different people,” Denny Rhule said. “They saw different races and socioeconomic groups. The church had a big outreach to the homeless and they were part of that. I tried to include them as much as we could. I think it benefited them in the long run being there 11 years.”...

and January 27 CBS Sports adds:

... Matt got an education growing up on Roosevelt Island, a melting pot in the middle of the East River. He mingled with both kids from subsidized housing and the offspring of diplomats.... 

We have our next head coach 👊https://t.co/ROp2USeBZy

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 7, 2020

According to NFL.com:

... NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Rhule's contract is for seven years and is worth a whopping $62 million. The deal also includes a $2.5 million signing bonus in addition to incentives for team goals such as winning seasons, playoff wins and Super Bowls. A large sum to lure Rhule from the college ranks to Carolina....

A homecoming to the NY Giants would have been a great story but congratulations to Matt Rhule for being first Roosevelt Islander NFL Head Coach.