Rhule Hopes His Own ‘Big Red Rebuild’ Pays Off This Fall

New assistants, coordinators, transfers and schemes may be what the doctorordered for the Husker football program.

Head coach Matt Rhule meets with the media ahead of 2026 spring practices. | Kaleb Henry

Change before you have to.

Jack Welch

In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step
back into safety.

Abraham Maslow

First of all, there are two Big Red Rebuild programs going on right now that could alter the course of Nebraska football.

The first project is a proposed $600 million upgrade of Memorial Stadium. The
proposal is waiting for approval from the Nebraska Board of Regents.

The second is Matt Rhule’s rebuild of the Husker football program - a project he’s
been working on since he arrived at Nebraska 3½ years ago.

Today’s focus is on Rhule’s upgrade of the Husker football program.

Quick Question Number 1

How many assistant coaches who were on Matt Rhule’s staff in his first year at Nebraska in 2023 remain on his staff in the same capacity this year?

Quick Question Number 2

How many assistants from last year’s staff (2025) are serving this fall in the same
capacity this season? The answers will appear later in this column.

The following are the assistants who were on Rhule’s staff in ‘23, ‘25 and ‘26.

Rhule’s 2023 Staff

Offensive CO (QB coach): Marcus Satterfield

Defensive CO: Tony White

Special Teams CO: Ed Foley

Running Backs: E.J. Barthel

Wide Receivers: Garret McGuire

Offensive Line: Donovan Raiola

Defensive Line: Terrance Knighton

Linebackers: Rob Dvoracek

Defensive Backs (Pass Game CO): Evan Cooper

Tight Ends Josh Martin

Rhule’s 2025 Staff

OC: Dana Holgorsen

DC: John Butler

ST: Mike Ekeler

QB: Glenn Thomas

DB: Addison Williams

OLB: Phil Simpson

DL: Terry Bradden

WR: Daikiel Shorts, Jr.

O-line: Donovan Raiola

TE: Marcus Satterfield

RB: E.J. Barthel

Note: Several assistants were hired in December of ‘25: Rob Aurich (7th), Geep Wade (12th) and Lonnie Teasley (19th).

Rhule’s 2026 Staff

OC: Dana Holgorsen

DC: Rob Aurich

ST: Brett Maher/Nick Humphrey

D-Line: Corey Brown

O-line: Geep Wade

QB: Glenn Thomas

LB: Rob Dvoracek

OLB: Phil Simpson

DB: Addison Williams

Safeties: Tyler Yelk

Defensive Edges: Roy Manning

RB: E.J. Barthel

Run Game CO: Lonnie Teasley

WR: Daikiel Shorts, Jr.

The answer to Question No. 1:

Only two assistants from Rhule’s first staff at Nebraska remain in the same capacity so far this fall: E.J. Barthel (RB) and Rob Dvoracek (LB).

The answer to Question No. 2:

Although only one of his three coordinators (Dana Holgorsen OC) remains on
Rhule’s staff for this fall, six assistants from last year remain: Holgorsen,
Dvoracek, Barthel, Shorts, Thomas and Simpson.

Note: Phil Snow served as the DC for Nebraska last year for the Las Vegas Bowl.
He will return this year as the Husker associate head coach.

First year Husker DC Rob Aurich has brought with him a new defensive scheme.
Instead of a 3-3-5, he is bringing in a 4-2-5 system that worked well for him in his
time at San Diego State.

Another change is in the play of Husker quarterbacks. Gone is former 5-star QB, Dylan Raiola who transferred in the off season. In his place is Anthony Colandrea who transferred to Nebraska from UNLV. Unlike
Raiola, Colandrea is a dual threat QB, who if he stays healthy, could be the QB
Dana Holgorsen has been looking for to run his offense.

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