With the unexpected stepping down of Huskers secondary coach Evan Cooper Nebraska quickly turns it attention to experienced coach John Butler to replace Cooper. John Butler is a seasoned coach with an impressive track record and is set to take the reins as the Huskers’ secondary coach. His journey includes stints in both the NFL and college football, making him a valuable addition to the program adding to Rhules’ staff that blends many former NFL and up-and-coming coaches.
Butler most recently served as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Bills, where he worked with defensive backs since 2018. His tenure with the Bills showcased his expertise in developing talent which will pair perfectly with the current recruits and Rhule’s style of recruiting.
Before his stint in the NFL, Butler held the role of defensive coordinator at Penn State in 2013. During his time there, the Nittany Lions developed a upper tier defense, setting the trend for the current defensive scheme we see dominating today at Penn St.
Even as we look forward at Tony White’s Potential Departure from the program for a head coaching position at the end of the 2024 season, Butler would seemingly be a fantastic fit for that defensive coordinator role is it comes available. John Butler could step into the role seamlessly. Butler’s goal has always been to run his own defense, and this could be the perfect chance for him to do so.
With Nebraska already seeing an impact from recruits about Evan Cooper stepping down, we can only hope that recruits will see Butler as a great addition, keeping their commitments firm. His NFL background adds credibility, and players aspiring to reach the next level will trust his guidance. The prospect of learning from someone who has coached at the highest level can be a powerful recruiting tool.
From a Husker Fans perspective, John Butler looks like a fantastic addition to this coaching staff. His previous experience and proven track record will lessen the drop-off on both the recruiting trail and the field that Cooper leaving could have on Nebraska. Matt Rhule has seemingly pulled a golden rabbit out of his scarlet and cream colored hat once again.
