Nebraska has now filled both coordinator positions for the 2025 season. The team recently promoted Dana Holgorsen to the full-time offensive coordinator role and now has settled on a defensive coordinator.

Previous DC Tony White left the Huskers for the same position at Florida State. To replace White, the team will promote John Butler to the position.

Butler joined Nebraska in 2024 as the secondary coach and defensive pass game coordinator. Before joining Matt Rhule’s staff, the coach spent the previous 6 seasons coaching defensive backs for the Buffalo Bills.

“John Butler has been a great addition to our staff this season and has proven he is the right coach to lead our defense,” Rhule said in a program release. “John has previous success as a defensive coordinator in the Big Ten Conference and has a history of coaching elite defenses throughout his career.”

Under Butler’s tutelage in 2024, the Nebraska secondary returned 3 interceptions for touchdowns. The Nebraska defense finished the 2024 season ranked No. 18 in total defense and No. 18 in scoring defense. The unit held 6 opponents to 13 points or fewer.

“I appreciate the confidence Coach Rhule has shown in me to lead the Blackshirts!,” Butler said via Nebraska. “I knew Nebraska was a special place before I got here, but it is better than I imagined.  I look forward to our continued work with our players to develop them on and off the field.  The Blackshirt tradition is one of the best in college football, and we are committed to playing great defense at Nebraska.”

Butler will be the 2nd DC Rhule has had since taking over in Lincoln. The Huskers ended 2024 with a 6-6 record and will prepare to take on Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl with both coordinator positions filled.