Nebraska defensive backs coach Evan Cooper resigns

The Nebraska football team received a resignation letter right before the start of training camp . Defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Evan Cooper resigned on Friday evening.

Cooper was entering his second season as the Huskers’ defensive backs coach. The 2024 campaign would have been his 12th consecutive year on Rhule’s staff. He resigned for personal reasons.

Cooper’s secondary played a key role in the Huskers’ best statistical defense since joining the Big Ten Conference in 2011. Nebraska’s pass defense limited opponents to 6.1 yards per attempt, which ranked ninth nationally.

The Huskers also ranked 15th nationally in passing efficiency defense and eighth nationally in rushing defense. The Huskers’ secondary helped Nebraska rank 14th nationally in total defense and 17th in scoring defense, their best finishes since 2009 and 2010.

The secondary accounted for seven interceptions and 30 pass breakups. Defensive back Issac Gifford also led Nebraska in tackles with 86, becoming the first Husker defensive back to record 85 tackles in a season since 2014.

This is the second consecutive season that an assistant coach at Nebraska has departed the program just before fall camp begins. Tight ends coach Bob Wager resigned in 2023.

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