Nebraska fires defensive line coach Terry Bradden

Matt Rhule announced in his Tuesday press conference that defensive line coach Terry Bradden has been let go after one season with the program. 

“We’re actively pursuing what we’ll do defensive-line wise,” he said. “We thank Terry for his work and his time here.”

Bradden joined the program in February after eight years as a defensive assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs won the AFC West Division in each of Bradden’s eight seasons and played in seven AFC Championship games and five Super Bowls, winning three Super Bowl titles.

In his four seasons as an assistant coach, the Chiefs twice ranked second in the NFL in sacks. Kansas City also ranked in the top five in the NFL in scoring defense and in the top 10 in total defense in each of Bradden’s final two seasons on staff.

Bradden inherited a young, inexperienced defensive line tasked with replacing Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Jimari Butler, MJ Sherman, among other contributors along the defensive front. 

Nebraska’s defense struggled to stop the run in 2025, finishing 96th in rushing yards allowed (171.25) and 115th in yards per carry (4.8). In four November games alone, the Huskers allowed 200.75 rushing yards per game, 5.02 yards per carry and 11 rushing touchdowns. Penn State and Iowa combined to beat Nebraska by a score of 77-26 while rushing for 444 yards and 5.2 yards per carry.

Nebraska’s defense allowed 23 points per game, ranking 53rd in the country. The Husker pass defense was among the best in the nation, as it ranked second in the nation allowing just 141.1 yards per game. However, opponents focused on and consistently ran the ball against the Huskers, who faced the fewest average passing attempts per game this season at 23.6. Nebraska recorded just 19 sacks this fall and ranked 118 in the country in yards allowed per rush.