Lincoln, Nebraska — The Nebraska Cornhuskers are officially moving on from defensive coordinator John Butler after just one season in the role. Head coach Matt Rhule announced Monday that Butler will not be retained, thanking him for his contributions and confirming that Phil Snow will serve as interim defensive coordinator for the upcoming bowl game. A permanent replacement is expected to be named ahead of the 2026 season.
Butler joined Nebraska in 2024 as defensive backs coach before being promoted in 2025. While the Huskers finished the regular season ranked 22nd nationally in total defense, that figure was largely buoyed by a pass defense that ranked No. 2 in the country. The underlying numbers told a different story: Nebraska’s run defense collapsed, finishing 97th nationally and surrendering more than 200 rushing yards in five games. In their five regular season losses, opponents averaged 223 rushing yards against the Big Red.
The red zone was another glaring weakness. Nebraska ranked 135th in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 30 of 31 trips inside the 20-yard line.
Butler, a veteran assistant with prior stints at Penn State, Minnesota, and in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans, was serving only his second season as a defensive coordinator. His departure comes less than a year after he took over the role prior to the Huskers’ Pinstripe Bowl appearance.
The move underscores a growing debate: while Nebraska’s secondary shined, the inability to stop the run and defend the red zone raised questions about whether Butler’s scheme ever truly fit the program’s needs.
