Old versus new

A dive into Nebraska's two coaching additions as Matt Rhule reshapes the Huskers for 2026.

Courtesy Nebraska Athletics

Matt Rhule confirmed the hires of San Diego State defensive coordinator Rob Aurich and Georgia Tech offensive line coach Geep Wade Tuesday. We’re just waiting on the completion of background checks for those two hires to become press-release official, but barring something major those two are part of the football staff now with Wade already taking part in bowl preparations.

Rhule also broke the news that he fired defensive line coach Terry Bradden, news that hadn’t leaked prior to Tuesday’s press conference. New defensive coordinator Aurich, who coached the edge rushers at SDSU last season before being elevated to DC, has at least one spot to fill on his side of the ball and Rhule said he didn’t anticipate letting any other assistants go.

As of Wednesday night, Nebraska was battling LSU for Elijah Robinson to fill the d-line role. Syracuse’s defensive coordinator in 2025, Robinson was demoted following a 3-9 season. He worked with Rhule at Temple and for a season at Baylor before his ascent up the coaching ranks really began at Texas A&M in 2018.

Nebraska is also expected to add former South Carolina offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley to the staff in an unspecified role. He worked with tight ends coach Marcus Satterfield at South Carolina and Tennessee Tech and also spent the 2014 season on Rhule’s Temple staff. Both Teasley and Robinson have been valued recruiters over their careers and offer additional connections to the south and the northeast respectively.

For now, however, we’ll focus on what we know—Aurich and Wade. Here’s a numbers-based look at how they compared with what the Huskers had this season.