As it turns out, it wasn't as easy for Nebraska football to replace Tony White and Terrance Knighton as fans might have hoped. When the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach departed for Florida State last winter, the Huskers moved relatively quickly to name John Butler as the DC and Terry Bradden as the defensive line coach. With Bradden's firing on Tuesday, both are now gone less than a calender year since they were hired.
After Rob Aurich was brought in from San Diego State this weekend, Bradden seemed like his seat might be hot. When Butler was fired, Rhule said that the next defensive coordinator would have power to mostly put together his staff. The caveat was that defensive backs coach Addison Williams would stick around.
Nebraska football on the hunt for new defensive line coach after Terry Bradden firing
Aurich and Nebraska will now actively look for a new defensive line coach and it certainly wouldn't be shocking if the Cornhuskers hired David Lose, the San Diego State Aztecs' defensive line coach. Of course, they could also look for a coach with some Power Four experience.
Bradden's exit is the third assistant coach that's been fired since the Huskers' regular season ended. Butler was the first domino to fall and offensive line coach Donovan Raiola followed him out the door after a few days.
Both the offensive and defensive line were considered troubling weaknesses for the Nebraska football team as the season wore on. The defensive front was espeically porous, especially late in the year where they routinely allowed large holes to run through open up. Plugging those holes will be job one for the next coach at the position.