It took about half an hour for Nebraska head coach to find Donovan Raiola's replacement in Geep Wade. It's going to take at least a little bit longer to see the Huskers get a new defensive coordinator after Toledo DC Vince Kehres reportedly turned NU down.
Kehres became a name to know, especially on Friday night, when reports surfaced that he was interviewing for the defensive coordinator job in Lincoln. However, on Saturday afternoon, Kehres decided to go to Syracuse and work for Fran Brown instead.
To join what looks like a sinking shop from the outside in, the Orange is undoubtedly an interesting look. Unofficially, it marks the second time in two years that Nebraska has lost a DC, or DC candidate, to a team coming off a terrible losing season.
I have a source who has confirmed Pete Thamel’s report. I’ve been told that Kehres turned down the Nebraska DC job, as well as the head coaching job at Toledo, to join Fran Brown’s staff. Toledo has given up the 2nd-fewest yards in the FBS behind Ohio St. Huge get for the Orange. https://t.co/w47NTBVLlr
— Steve Infanti (@SteveInfantiNC9) December 6, 2025
Nebraska football loses the battle for Vince Kehres to Syracuse
Now that Kehres was reportedly offered the job and turned it down, questions indeed arise about what might be next for the Huskers. Earlier in the day, there were at least rumblings that Phil Snow, who has been a defensive coordinator under Rhule before, could be elevated to the full-time position.
However, considering taking over interim DC and then being elevated to the job after the bowl game was how Butler got the position, Rhule will be advised to stay away from that.
There's also the argument that if Snow wanted that position and responsibility, he would have gotten it last year over Butler.
Nebraska is certainly not short of possibilities if it wants to go outside the program. Unfortunately, what might have been the best candidate available in Vince Kehres by a long shot is now off the board.