3 thoughts on John Butler as DC, other hires by Nebraska football

According to a report from Pete Thamel of ESPN, Nebraska football has promoted secondary coach John Butler to defensive coordinator.

Butler was one of the candidates that made sense after a long career as an NFL assistant. He had a successful run as the Bills defensive pass game coordinator before taking the job with the Huskers before the 2024 season.

It was clear when Butler came to Nebraska had he wanted to be a defensive coordinator. After the departure of Tony White, he’ll get his chance.

Terry Braden, the assistant defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs has also been hired to coach the Huskers’ defensive line. Phil Snow will also be hired as associate head coach according to Thamel.

Here are three thoughts.

John Butler makes a lot of sense

Butler makes sense for Nebraska football for a few reasons. For one, the defense doesn’t need to change dramatically. I’m sure he’ll put his touches on it, but I don’t know that the system will change.

One thing Rhule seemed to like about White was the versatility of the system. Nebraska has been running a 3-3-5, but that wasn’t always the alignment.

So I wouldn’t get caught up in what “system” a guy runs. What I like about Butler is his NFL background. You have to be able to confuse the quarterback, especially in a league like the Big Ten.

There are quality quarterbacks all over the conference so defenses will need to be able to disguise things, mix up coverages, and be multiple.

Butler is proven when it comes to developing defensive backs, at least with the Bills. Hopefully, that will translate to Nebraska but Ceyair Wright had his best college season under Butler in 2024.

Rhule may have had another option in mind, or maybe he just wanted to look at the field before making a final decision, but Butler was always going to be a serious candidate — because he’s a good one.

And he’ll have some help.

Rhule makes a smart hire in Phil Snow

I can hear the groans from some Nebraska football fans about Phil Snow, but I love the hire. I didn’t want him running the entire defense, but associate head coach is perfect.

Just because Snow was a long-time defensive coordinator doesn’t mean he can help the program in other ways. Just having a veteran on the sideline who can focus on the little things that might get overlooked, while adding a helping hand to the defense.

Butler is a first-time defensive coordinator or will be. Snow has spent a quarter century as a defensive coordinator. He coached safeties and defensive backs for a big chunk of his career.

With Butler taking over the defense, Snow can aid with the secondary. I’m sure Nebraska will still hire a secondary coach to replace Butler, at least that would make sense, but adding Snow to the staff full-time is a shrewd move, especially in the capacity he will serve.

Another development hire at D-line

Terry Bradden probably isn’t a name Nebraska football fans knew before he was reported by Thamel as the hire. However, he’s been with the Kansas City Chiefs for the past eight seasons. He’s been the assistant defensive line coach for the last four years and Kansas City has done really well developing D-line.

How much of that credit should go to Bradden? I have no idea. But Andy Reid is one of the best coaches in the world and taking someone from his staff is smart.

I’m sure that Bradden will kill it on the recruiting trail. Defensive line coaches coming from the league usually do. Terrance Knighton was a natural. He was one of Nebraska’s best recruiters.

We’ll see how Bradden does in that department. He’s been a college coach before so it won’t be brand new. Football Scoop had him on their list of minority rising stars in the past and here’s what was written about him:

“Has also been at Howard, Tuskegee, FAU, and Bathune-Cookman. Bradden’s star continues to rise with his past few years of NFL work after his relentless climb through the coaching ranks. Definitely a name to watch.”

These are good moves by Rhule. It doesn’t mean they will work but they make sense and now, the Huskers can turn their attention to the Pinstripe Bowl and roster construction.

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