Upon the news that Nebraska Defensive Coordinator Tony White is heading to Florida State we get to have a little bit of fun and ponder who could be replacing him and his role at Nebraska.
Below are a few of the names that have been thrown out there. But to be honest, it could be somebody out of left field.
So here were go.
Phil Snow, Nebraska Defensive Consultant
I believe this is the current front runner. That could change five minutes after this is published. Snow has served as Matt Rhule’s defensive coordinator at Temple, Baylor and even in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers.
In fact, Rhule wanted Phil Snow to be his defensive coordinator here before he hired Tony White.
One concern might be that Phil Snow is 68 years old. Would he want to get back into the hectic world that is college football?
Rhule has had Snow as a defensive consultant this year but Snow can do that from the comfort of his own home.
John Butler, Nebraska Defensive Backs Coach
As of right now this is my second place pick as Butler wants to be a defensive coordintor at a Power Four school or in the NFL. In fact, it was reported that after he came in last year that he was having some influence in making some changes to the secondary which was different than what Tony White wanted.
Butler was Bill O’Brien’s defensive coordinator at Penn State in 2013.
Rob Dvorcek, Nebraska Linebackers Coach
This is the underrated name for this job as Rhule has mentioned several times that Dvorcek is a future star in the coaching world. It would be hard to sell this to Nebraska fans which should not matter. However, could he sell this to current players?
If Rhule wants to move in a more traditional direction then this could be an option.
Jim Leonard, Former Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator and Current Denver Broncos Assistant
I think this would be a home run hire.
The connection here is that played with current offensive line coach Donovan Raiola at Wisconsin.
He was considered one of the top defensive coordinators in the country when he was at Wisconsin and now is getting some NFL experience. Would he want to come to Nebraska? Would Rhule give him full autonomy?
Elijah Robinson, Syracuse Defensive Coordinator
Recruiting. Recruiting. Recruiting.
Robinson is considered one of the best recruiters in the country and he coached with Rhule at Temple and Baylor.
Syracuse is currently 68th in yards per game and and 51st in yards per play. Those aren’t the end all be all by any means. They were also 90th in points per game and 110th in points per play.
Geoff Collins, North Carolina Defensive Coordinator
Another Matt Rhule connection and may be looking for another job as Mack Brown is no longer the head coach at North Carolina.
This is his first year as the defensive coordinator at North Carolina so it isn’t a great sample size but his defense is currently 93rd in Points per play and 89th in points per game.
Bo Pelini, Former Nebraska Head Coach
You have to admit, this would be fun.
