Just days after the regular college football season ended, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule made the change that many fans were begging for, especially after Iowa scored 40 points against the Cornhuskers. It was announced that Rhule fired defensive coordinator John Butler after just one season with the team.
Fans had been calling for this move for a little while, but the straw that broke the camel's back was Iowa, a team that has had one of the worst offenses in college football in the last few seasons, scoring 40 points against the Cornhuskers.
In his latest press conference, Rhule was asked about the decision to fire Butler and his response was something that won't shock Nebraska fans anywhere.
Matt Rhule states the obvious on how John Butler did at Nebraska
Coach Matt Rhule on former DC John Butler - "he wasn't exactly the right fit for me"
— 247Huskers (@247Huskers) December 3, 2025
It was pretty clear from the start that defensive coordinator John Butler was struggling when players were missing assignments and tackles left and right. The problem became more glaring as the season went on, especially when playing ranked opponents.
Head coach Matt Rhule knew once the season ended that he needed someone else in there to coach the defense, and his short-worded answer on Butler made fans all collectively say 'duh.'
"He wasn't exactly the right fit for me," Rhule said.
The Nebraska faithful hates to break it to Rhule, but Butler wasn't the right fit for any of the Cornhuskers, and it was pretty clear. The next thing that Rhule needs to do is get someone in there who can have a strong defense that can match what the Nebraska offense has the ability to do.
The biggest goal for the Cornhuskers in 2026 will need to be beating a ranked opponent, something they haven't done in nearly 10 years. The phrase 'defense wins championships' is true, just ask Ohio State. Nebraska needs to get its defense back on track if it ever wants a shot at the College Football Playoff and a National Championship.