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2w ago

Nebraska Fires DC John Butler, Names Phil Snow Interim for Bowl

Rhule installed associate head coach Phil Snow for the bowl game to jump-start a search focused on repairing the run defense.

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Matt Rhule of the Nebraska Cornhuskers watches action against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Head coach Matt Rhule of the Nebraska Cornhuskers reacts to a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania.
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Overview

  • Nebraska announced Monday that Butler was dismissed after one season, and a new defensive coordinator for 2026 is expected to be named in the coming weeks.
  • The Huskers finished 7-5 after lopsided defeats to Penn State (37-10) and Iowa (40-16) to close the regular season.
  • Nebraska ranked 14th in the Big Ten in rushing defense at 171.3 yards per game and was second-to-last nationally in red-zone defense, allowing points on 30 of 31 trips with 77.4% resulting in touchdowns.
  • Despite fielding the No. 2 pass defense in FBS at 112.1 yards allowed per game, the defense faltered in league play and produced just 19 sacks.
  • Butler arrived in 2024 after six seasons coaching the Buffalo Bills’ defensive backs and was promoted when Tony White left for Florida State, while Snow previously coordinated Rhule’s defenses at Temple, Baylor and with the Carolina Panthers.