John Butler The Nebraska Cornhuskers have officially moved on from John Butler as their defensive coordinator, ending his stint after just one season at the helm. The announcement comes after a 2025 campaign that began with hope but deteriorated into defensive collapse in crunch moments — especially against conference rivals.
Head coach Matt Rhule confirmed the decision Monday, stating Butler “will not be retained … effective immediately.” Interim defensive coordinator duties for the upcoming bowl game will go to associate head coach Phil Snow as the program searches for a long-term replacement.
Butler had only been promoted to the defensive coordinator role in December 2024, after serving the previous season as Nebraska’s secondary coach and pass-game coordinator. His hiring carried with it expectations, especially given his previous experience in college football and the NFL, including several seasons as defensive backs coach for the Buffalo Bills.
However, the 2025 season exposed serious defensive flaws under his watch. While Nebraska’s passing defense remained respectable — ranking among the top in FBS in yards allowed per game — the run defense faltered badly. In conference play, and especially in the final games, the Cornhuskers often failed to stop long drives and struggled to contain rushing attacks. Against Penn State Nittany Lions and Iowa Hawkeyes, they surrendered 77 points over two games, allowing a combined 444 rushing yards — a breakdown that proved to be the final straw.
A deeper statistical breakdown underscores the struggle: Nebraska’s rush defense finished among the lowest in the Big Ten, surrendering an average of roughly 170–173 rushing yards per game. Their red-zone defense was arguably worse — allowing touchdowns on nearly every opponent red-zone trip, ranking near the bottom nationally in red-zone conversion percentage.
Analysts believe Butler’s scheme choices — including frequent three-down front sets, minimal blitzing, and heavy reliance on coverage sacks — contributed to the breakdown. Many players reportedly missed assignments or struggled with consistency in run fits.
The timing of the firing — coming just after the regular season ended and ahead of the bowl game — suggests the Nebraska program felt unable to move forward with Butler in charge, especially with defensive fundamentals still in flux.
In a statement, Rhule expressed gratitude for Butler’s contributions, but emphasized the need for a reset on defense. “We will work toward naming a new defensive coordinator for the 2026 season in the coming weeks,” he added.
For Butler, this marks an abrupt end to his role in Lincoln. With two decades of coaching experience across college and the NFL — including a stint as defensive coordinator at Penn State Nittany Lions and years in the NFL — this firing may recalibrate how he is viewed by future employers.
Nebraska now faces the challenge of re-building defensive credibility, a task that will require smart hiring and rapid buy-in from players. As fans and analysts await the next hire, the 2025 season — and Butler’s tenure — will stand as a cautionary tale about how quickly things can unravel when fundamentals break down.
