Interim defensive coordinator John Butler is set to become the permanent defensive coordinator for Nebraska. Butler was the Huskers’ defensive backs coach during the 2024 regular season.
He was the defensive coordinator for Penn State in 2013 under current Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien. Butler was also the secondary coach for the Houston Texans from 2014-2017 under him. O’Brien is now the head coach at Boston College, Nebraska’s bowl game opponent.
Butler also has spent time at the Buffalo Bills as a defensive backs coach from 2018-2023. He coached All-Pro selections, cornerback Tre’Davious White and safety Jordan Poyer.
Head coach Matt Rhule decided to keep the hire in-house. This should help the Huskers target transfer defenders after the flood of portal departures for the Blackshirts. Expect the same scheme to remain in Lincoln.
Nebraska is also set to hire Kansas City Chiefs assistant defensive line coach Terry Bradden to fill the void after Terrance Knighton left. Phil Snow, a longtime friend of Rhule is set to be the Associate head coach.
