Nebraska football has faced challenges in recent years, failing to achieve more than five wins or qualify for a bowl game since 2016. The team’s persistent streak of seasons with four or five wins has left fans disheartened.
However, there’s optimism on the horizon for the upcoming season with news that a former assistant coach from the Buffalo Bills is set to join the Cornhuskers in Lincoln. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Nebraska plans to bring on John Butler, who served as a defensive backs coach with the Bills from 2018 to 2023, following a similar role with the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2017.
Butler’s hiring marks a significant addition for Nebraska, securing an NFL coach with nearly ten years of experience specializing in secondary coaching. During his tenure, Butler contributed to the Bills’ impressive defensive performance, particularly in developing standout players like Jordan Poyer and Tre’Davious White.
Sources: Nebraska is expected to hire former Buffalo Bills assistant coach John Butler as the program’s new secondary coach. He’s a longtime NFL defensive backs coach with stints at the Texans (2014-17) and Bills (2018-23). pic.twitter.com/9XJtEum6Oe
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 6, 2024
Nebraska’s defense showed promise last season, conceding only 18.3 points per game. However, there is room for improvement in their pass defense, which allowed an average of 210.6 yards per game. This aspect will be crucial as Nebraska aims to compete more fiercely within the Big Ten, challenging perennial powerhouses such as Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State, all of whom significantly limited opponent passing yards last season.
The Cornhuskers’ run defense was notably strong, ranking third in the conference by allowing just 92.9 yards per game. With five of their top six tacklers returning for the upcoming season, Butler will have a talented and experienced defensive unit to further develop and refine.
