Nebraska coach Matt Rhule explains the firing of John Butler

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule shared some insight on his decision to dismiss defensive coordinator John Butler. Butler was relieved of his duties effective immediately on Monday afternoon. He was serving his first season in the role following the departure of Tony White.

Butler joined the Cornhuskers in the summer of 2024 as a secondary coach after holding the same position with the Buffalo Bills. He stepped down from his post with the Bills in February 2024, citing a desire to become a defensive coordinator.

The defense ranked 23rd in the nation in total defense, surrendering 312.3 yards per game, and 53rd in scoring defense, allowing 22.92 points per game. The run defense was an issue all season, ranking 95th, allowing 171 yards per game.Rhule met with the media on Wednesday afternoon and said that Butler is a talented coach, but at the end of the day, he wasn't the right fit for Nebraska football.

“He (John Butler) did a lot of great things for us. It wasn’t exactly the right fit for me and how I am so it’s probably more about me than anything else. He'll go on and have a ton of success. His character and work ethic were unmatched. It’s just about the right fit for us moving forward.”

Rhule said he made the move when he did because Butler had other job opportunities available, and he wanted to give him the chance to take advantage of those possibilities and to be fair to recruits in the lead-up to signing day. Associate head coach Phil Snow will serve as the team's interim defensive coordinator for its upcoming bowl game.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule explains the firing of John Butler