DC Candidates

[Quint]

Crazy 30 years later people are still hoping he comes back

You think that’s crazy, I’d love to see Lance Van Zandt bring back the 5 man flex and he’s been dead since 2008.

 

[BillBra5ky]

Your replies in this thread say differently. You do you though.

 

[Cavalot]

Your replies in this thread say differently. You do you though.

Yeah well. Ill always fight back...I'm not a quitter. When I say I don't give a shit.... It means I don't give a shit if "behind a keyboard" clowns dislike what I have to say or not. I'm not here for a popularity contest.

I like to know what others have to think about the state of NE football. The rest of the insults and banter don't bother me in the least. Doesn't mean that I won't have a rebuttal to them.

 

[PlumbingCarrot]

So far wilcox has been my favorite named thats been linked.

 

[TampaBaySkers]

Garrett should offer a teachers discount so Cav can buy a sub.

 

[djw004]

Some new names on this list. Curious what some of your thoughts are with any of these guys. Are there other names missing from this list? For those in the know, who do you want? I would prefer that we get back to a 40 front defense but I don't have really any preference on any of these guys.​

Updated for December 2025

---

Tier 1 — Big Swing / National Names​

1. Jim Leonhard​

Why he fits:

• One of the best defensive minds in college football over the last decade.
• Proven developer of elite secondaries and complex but teachable schemes.
• Rhule values NFL experience — Leonhard brings both.

Pros: Immediate credibility, great with DBs, adaptable.
Cons: Expensive; may prefer NFL.

---

2. Justin Wilcox​

Why he fits:

• Just finished a long run as Cal’s head coach — seeking a fresh role.
• One of the most respected DCs of the 2010s (Boise St, Washington, USC, Wisconsin).
• Scheme fits Big Ten toughness.

Pros: High-floor hire; experienced leader.
Cons: Might want another head-coach job rather than coordinator.

---

3. Jim Knowles​

Why he fits:

• Elite track record: Oklahoma State (top-10), Ohio State (best defense in country).
• Wins immediately with discipline, simplicity, and fundamentals.
• Could want a reset after recent moves.

Pros: Proven elite production.
Cons: Very high salary tier.

---

Tier 2 — Strong, Realistic Power-Conference Options​

4. Joe Rossi​

Why he fits:

• Turned Minnesota into a top-15 defense.
• Excellent with LB development and run defense — Nebraska’s biggest need.
• Conservative, fundamentally sound Big Ten style.

Pros: Culture fit; affordable; proven.
Cons: Less splashy than top names.

---

5. Tony White (if he leaves Florida State/Nebraska movement reshuffles)​

Why he fits:

• 3-3-5 mastermind; aggressive, unique system.
• Excellent against spread and tempo offenses.

Pros: Creative, modern, player-friendly.
Cons: Scheme change would be drastic; roster fit uncertain.

---

6. Derek Mason​

Why he fits:

• Former Vanderbilt HC, Auburn DC, Stanford DC, Oklahoma State DC.
• Veteran leader, fundamentally excellent against the run.

Pros: Stability, discipline.
Cons: Scheme sometimes considered conservative.

---

Tier 3 — Up-and-Coming Potential Home-Run Hires​

7. Shiel Wood (Troy → Tulane)​

Why he fits:

• Built Troy into a top-5 national defense.
• Fast rise; well-regarded for modern pressures and disguises.

Pros: Young, hungry, trendy defensive mind.
Cons: No Big Ten experience.

---

8. Aaron Henry (Illinois DC)​

Why he fits:

• Ryan Walters disciple — produced elite DBs and strong run defenses.
• Knows the Big Ten West blueprint well.

Pros: Recruiting chops, player-developer.
Cons: Still young; may be loyal to Walters tree.

---

Tier 4 — Experienced / Rhule-Tree Options​

9. Phil Snow (Nebraska interim DC)​

Why he fits:

• Rhule’s longtime right-hand defensive mind (Temple, Baylor, Carolina Panthers).
• Already in-house; understands Rhule’s system and culture.

Pros: Familiarity, continuity for players.
Cons: Age + recruiting concerns; likely not a long-term solution.

---

10. Elijah Robinson (former Texas A&M interim HC, big Rhule connection)​

Why he fits:

• Elite recruiter + DL coach; Rhule trusts him deeply.
• Would upgrade trenches instantly — Nebraska’s biggest need.

Pros: Massive recruiting upgrade; Big Ten defensive style.
Cons: Not a play-caller; would need structure around him.

---

⭐​

If we narrow to the most probable and realistic:

1. Joe Rossi​

2. Justin Wilcox​

3. Jim Leonhard​

4. Phil Snow​

5. Derek Mason​

6. Bo Pelini

We aren't doing this here.

If you are citing Tony White as coming from anywhere Florida St and have him as a top 5 option 1 year after a pretty nasty divorce here that led to him taking some players who were running their mouth about our program...

You keep trying, and we will keep not doing this...

 

[Alcaus]

We aren't doing this here.

If you are citing Tony White as coming from anywhere Florida St and have him as a top 5 option 1 year after a pretty nasty divorce here that led to him taking some players who were running their mouth about our program...

You keep trying, and we will keep not doing this...

AI does too much hallucinating, as seen in this thread. Don't mind it summarizing shit if it's accurate. If not it calls all the other information into question and we might as well start copying/pasting Wikipedia articles.

 

[djw004]

Some new names on this list. Curious what some of your thoughts are with any of these guys. Are there other names missing from this list? For those in the know, who do you want? I would prefer that we get back to a 40 front defense but I don't have really any preference on any of these guys.​

Updated for December 2025

---

Tier 1 — Big Swing / National Names​

1. Jim Leonhard​

Why he fits:

• One of the best defensive minds in college football over the last decade.
• Proven developer of elite secondaries and complex but teachable schemes.
• Rhule values NFL experience — Leonhard brings both.

Pros: Immediate credibility, great with DBs, adaptable.
Cons: Expensive; may prefer NFL.

---

2. Justin Wilcox​

Why he fits:

• Just finished a long run as Cal’s head coach — seeking a fresh role.
• One of the most respected DCs of the 2010s (Boise St, Washington, USC, Wisconsin).
• Scheme fits Big Ten toughness.

Pros: High-floor hire; experienced leader.
Cons: Might want another head-coach job rather than coordinator.

---

3. Jim Knowles​

Why he fits:

• Elite track record: Oklahoma State (top-10), Ohio State (best defense in country).
• Wins immediately with discipline, simplicity, and fundamentals.
• Could want a reset after recent moves.

Pros: Proven elite production.
Cons: Very high salary tier.

---

Tier 2 — Strong, Realistic Power-Conference Options​

4. Joe Rossi​

Why he fits:

• Turned Minnesota into a top-15 defense.
• Excellent with LB development and run defense — Nebraska’s biggest need.
• Conservative, fundamentally sound Big Ten style.

Pros: Culture fit; affordable; proven.
Cons: Less splashy than top names.

---

5. Tony White (if he leaves Florida State/Nebraska movement reshuffles)​

Why he fits:

• 3-3-5 mastermind; aggressive, unique system.
• Excellent against spread and tempo offenses.

Pros: Creative, modern, player-friendly.
Cons: Scheme change would be drastic; roster fit uncertain.

---

6. Derek Mason​

Why he fits:

• Former Vanderbilt HC, Auburn DC, Stanford DC, Oklahoma State DC.
• Veteran leader, fundamentally excellent against the run.

Pros: Stability, discipline.
Cons: Scheme sometimes considered conservative.

---

Tier 3 — Up-and-Coming Potential Home-Run Hires​

7. Shiel Wood (Troy → Tulane)​

Why he fits:

• Built Troy into a top-5 national defense.
• Fast rise; well-regarded for modern pressures and disguises.

Pros: Young, hungry, trendy defensive mind.
Cons: No Big Ten experience.

---

8. Aaron Henry (Illinois DC)​

Why he fits:

• Ryan Walters disciple — produced elite DBs and strong run defenses.
• Knows the Big Ten West blueprint well.

Pros: Recruiting chops, player-developer.
Cons: Still young; may be loyal to Walters tree.

---

Tier 4 — Experienced / Rhule-Tree Options​

9. Phil Snow (Nebraska interim DC)​

Why he fits:

• Rhule’s longtime right-hand defensive mind (Temple, Baylor, Carolina Panthers).
• Already in-house; understands Rhule’s system and culture.

Pros: Familiarity, continuity for players.
Cons: Age + recruiting concerns; likely not a long-term solution.

---

10. Elijah Robinson (former Texas A&M interim HC, big Rhule connection)​

Why he fits:

• Elite recruiter + DL coach; Rhule trusts him deeply.
• Would upgrade trenches instantly — Nebraska’s biggest need.

Pros: Massive recruiting upgrade; Big Ten defensive style.
Cons: Not a play-caller; would need structure around him.

---

⭐​

If we narrow to the most probable and realistic:

1. Joe Rossi​

2. Justin Wilcox​

3. Jim Leonhard​

4. Phil Snow​

5. Derek Mason​

6. Bo Pelini

Shiel Wood is at Texas Tech

Bo Pelini being on a list invalidates the list

Rhule laughed at Phil Snow taking the spot today...

 

[Boondock_St_Sker]

I want to know who Ekeler would hire as DC...he's the best coordinator on the current staff and it's not even close...does he have a friend he'd like to work with?

 

[TampaBaySkers]

Recently had an AI tell me it couldn't provide a forecast for December 2025 because that's more than a year away

Only thing AI has been useful for are funny trump videos and Dean images - purely entertainment

 

[Huskerscoop]

I want to know who Ekeler would hire as DC...he's the best coordinator on the current staff and it's not even close...does he have a friend he'd like to work with?

He wants the TN DC, Tim Banks is his name I believe.

 

[conno11]

Ok cool. So ignore that part and discuss the list.

You asked why? lmao