Rutgers' Aron Cruickshank returns a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown during the third quarter against Nebraska on Dec. 18, 2020, in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Jonathan Rutledge, who just completed his first season as senior special teams analyst for the Nebraska football team, is no longer with the program, a source told the Journal Star on Thursday.
He directed a special teams operation that struggled mightily in 2020.
A Mississippi native, Rutledge wasn't one of Nebraska's 10 full-time, on-field assistants this season. Not long after hiring Rutledge last February, Husker coach Scott Frost emphasized Rutledge's expertise in special teams.
"We’re going to try this,” Frost said in March. “I didn’t really want to burden someone like Coach (Mike) Dawson with making sure our outside linebackers improved and running all four special teams. That’s a heavy role, so I wanted somebody that could do the X’s and O’s and schematics off the field for our special teams and really train our coaches to go out and implement it with our players. It’s going to save our position coaches a lot of time and have somebody whose entire time is dedicated to making our special teams better.”
In finishing the season with a 3-5 record, Nebraska was 111th nationally in net punting. The Huskers allowed opponents to average 12.17 yards on punt returns (103rd). In addition, NU placed only eight punts inside the 20-yard line.
Iowa and Northwestern both dinged Frost's crew with sizable punt returns. The Huskers lost close games in both cases in part because of poor special-teams play all around.
Nebraska finished 94th nationally in kickoff returns with an average of 18.27 yards per return. That's just slightly better than 2019, when NU averaged 18.13 (107th nationally).
Meanwhile, Nebraska's opponents averaged 22.64 yards on kickoff returns (87th). Rutgers' Aron Cruickshank roared 98 yards for a touchdown in NU's season-ending victory in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Huskers won that game despite shoddy special-teams play — for instance, they allowed Rutgers punter Zach Feagles to run for 17 yards on a fake punt.
It was the second time that happened to Nebraska this season. Illinois punter Blake Hayes gained 14 yards on a fourth-and-8 after he looked up and saw nothing but open field.
Nebraska did show marked improvement in field goals, with Connor Culp going 13-for-15 with a long of 49 yards. It appears Culp will return in 2021 for another senior season.
Nebraska also received significant special-teams help from junior cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who returned six punts for 79 yards, an average of 13.17. Taylor-Britt's work was the impetus to NU finishing 14th nationally in that category.
But Rutledge apparently didn't have the sort of impact that Frost desired. The Nebraska coach was hoping for the type of success that Rutledge experienced in his previous stops. For instance, he guided Auburn's special teams to top 15 rankings by Football Outsiders in both 2018 and 2019. He also had ample success in two seasons at Missouri.
Rutledge did not immediately respond to a Journal Star message on Thursday.
Erik Chinander
Erik Chinander
Role: Defensive coordinator | 2020 Salary: $800,000
Alma mater: Iowa (2003)
Connection to Frost: Chinander and Frost have coached a total of nine seasons together. First, two at Northern Iowa, then five at Oregon and now the past two at Central Florida. In Orlando, Chinander coordinated the Knights’ defense.
What stands out: At 37 years old, Chinander has moved up the coaching ranks fast. In 2016, he was a finalist for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s best assistant coach. This year, the Knights forced 29 turnovers in 12 games. He also is plenty familiar with the Big Ten. He is from Allison, Iowa, and walked on to the Hawkeyes program in 1998.
Did you know: When Chinander and Frost coached together at UNI in 2007-08, Chinander coached offense (tight ends) and Frost defense (linebackers, co-defensive coordinator). Now Chinander will call defensive plays in Lincoln and Frost will call the offense.
College/NFL coaching experience
2016-17: UCF (defensive coordinator)
2014-15: Oregon (outside linebackers)
2013: Philadelphia Eagles (assistant defensive line)
2011-12: Oregon (defensive grad assistant)
2010: Oregon (intern)
2004-09: Northern Iowa (tight ends)
2003: Ellsworth (Iowa) Community College (offensive/defensive line)
Matt Lubick
Matt Lubick
Role: Offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach | 2020 Salary: $500,000
Alma mater: Western Montana (1994)
Connection to Frost: Lubick and Frost first crossed paths at Oregon in 2013, when Frost was promoted to offensive coordinator and Lubick took Frost's former job, passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. He later was elevated to offensive coordinator when Frost took the head coaching position at Central Florida.
What stands out: Lubick's work on the recruiting trail. He is regarded by peers — and high school prospects — as one of the most persuasive, persistent recruiters in the field.
Did you know: Lubick left coaching altogether after the 2018 season for a job working on a partnership between Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colorado, and a local bank.
College coaching experience
2017-18: Washington, Co-Offensive Coordinator (Wide Receivers)
2016: Oregon, Offensive Coordinator (Wide Receivers)
2013-15: Oregon, Assistant Coach (Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers
2010-12: Duke, Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers)
2007-09: Arizona State, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
2005-06: Ole Miss, Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers)
2001-04: Colorado State, Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers)
1999-2000: Oregon State, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1997-98: San Jose State, Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers)
1996: Cal State Northridge, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)
1995: Colorado State, Student Assistant
Greg Austin
Greg Austin
Role: Offensive line/run game coordinator | 2020 Salary: $500,000
Alma mater: Nebraska (2006)
Connection to Frost: Austin worked with Frost at Oregon from 2010-12 before following Chip Kelly to the NFL. Frost said this about Austin when he hired him at UCF: "It's vital for me to have an offensive line coach who understands our offensive system. His experience at Oregon and the Philadelphia Eagles is a perfect fit for what I’m trying to accomplish on the offensive side of the ball." Of course, Frost and Austin can both say they donned the Scarlet and Cream. Austin played at Nebraska from 2003-06, and appeared in 27 games.
What stands out: Austin got a chance to help coach some notable lineman with the Eagles, including Pro Bowlers Jason Peters, Jason Kelce and Evan Mathis. Peters and Mathis were All-Pro honorees in 2013.
Did you know: Before entering the coaching ranks, Austin spent time as an event manager at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
College/NFL coaching experience
2016-17: UCF (offensive line coach)
2013-15: Philadelphia Eagles (assistant offensive line)
2011-12: Oregon (offensive grad assistant)
2010: Oregon (intern)
Travis Fisher
Travis Fisher
Role: Defensive backs | 2020 Salary: $450,000
Alma mater: UCF (2001)
Connection to Frost: Fisher was one of only two holdovers from George O’Leary’s staff when Frost arrived in Orlando in December 2015.
What stands out: Fisher will only be in his fifth year coaching college football because after graduating he enjoyed an eight-year NFL career. A second-round draft pick in 2002, Fisher played five seasons for the St. Louis Rams, two for the Detroit Lions and one for the Seattle Seahawks.
Did you know: Fisher has seen the highs and lows of college football in his young career. He has been on staff at UCF for a 12-1 season, an 0-12 season and a 12-0 season.
College coaching experience
2016-17: UCF (defensive backs)
2015: UCF (cornerbacks)
2014: Southeast Missouri State (cornerbacks)
2013: UCF (defensive quality assistant)
Sean Beckton
Sean Beckton
Role: Tight ends coach | 2020 Salary: $400,000
Alma mater: UCF (1993)
Connection to Frost: When Frost got to UCF, he pieced together his staff, turning to coaches who he worked with at Oregon and Northern Iowa. He did, however, keep Beckton, a holdover from the George O'Leary staff. Beckton played a key role in creating a smooth transition from a recruiting standpoint between the old and new staff at UCF. In fact, it was Beckton who landed Frost's first recruit at UCF — running back Adrian Killins.
What stands out: Beckton's comfort level with working for Frost. We're talking about a UCF graduate who has spent all of his life in Florida and was offered a spot on the staff of Josh Heupel, the new UCF coach. Yet Beckton is headed to Lincoln. Under Beckton's watch, UCF tight end Jordan Akins received first-team all-conference honors this season. He also coached Brandon Marshall, who was one of the NFL's top wideouts for some time.
Did you know: Beckton was a standout wide receiver at UCF from 1987-90. In a game against Texas Southern, he threw for a touchdown, ran for a touchdown, caught a touchdown and scored on a punt return. He was named to the UCF Hall of Fame.
College/professional coaching experience
2016-17: UCF (tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator)
2012-15: UCF (wide receivers coach)
2009-11: UCF (defensive backs)
2008: Orlando Predators (AFL) (wide receivers)
1996-03: UCF (wide receivers)
1992-93: UCF (offensive grad assistant)
Ryan Held
Ryan Held
Role: Running backs coach/recruiting coordinator| 2020 Salary: $400,000
Alma mater: Nebraska (1998)
Connection to Frost: Held served under the same title at UCF the past two seasons, and he also played with Frost for two seasons at Nebraska. Held played at Nebraska from 1993-96. He was a student assistant in 1997 as Frost and the Huskers captured a third national in four seasons. Under Held's watch, UCF rushed for nearly 2,500 yards this past season, and tailback Adrian Killins averaged 6.8 yards per carry.
What stands out: His head coaching experience. Held was a head coach at several schools in the NAIA, Division II and junior college ranks, including one season at Peru State. Held landed the Peru State job at the age of 26, making him the youngest head coach in the nation in 2001.
Did you know: Held was part of back-to-back national title runs to begin his coaching career. Nebraska won the 1997 title, and Held was a grad assistant at Tennessee when the Vols won a national crown the following season under Phillip Fulmer.
College coaching experience
2016-17: UCF (running backs coach)
2014-15: Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (head coach)
2012-13: Highland (Kan.) CC (head coach)
2011: Butler (Kan.) CC (offensive coordinator)
2005-08: Southwestern Oklahoma State (head coach)
2002-04: Oklahoma Pandhandle State (head coach)
2001: Peru State (head coach)
1998-99: Tennessee (defensive grad assistant)
1997: Nebraska (undergraduate assistant)
Mario Verduzco
Mario Verduzco
Role: Quarterbacks coach | 2020 Salary: $375,000
Alma mater: San Jose State (1988)
Connection to Frost: Considered the veteran of the staff, Verduzco and Frost crossed paths at Northern Iowa, where Frost was a defensive assistant and then defensive coordinator. When Frost was hired as UCF head coach, he turned to Verduzco to lead the quarterbacks. Verduzco was one of the first assistants hired by Frost at UCF.
What stands out: You don't have to dig deep to see what quarterbacks can do under Verduzco's watch. McKenzie Milton just led UCF to a 12-0 season. He completed 63 percent of his throws for 5,284 yards and 43 touchdowns in two seasons. Milton is completing 70 percent of his passes this year, and is a semifinalist for the Maxwell and Walter Camp awards.
Did you know: Verduzco has coached four quarterbacks who have gone on to play in the NFL.
College coaching experience
2016-17: UCF (quarterbacks coach)
2015: Missouri State (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks)
2006-14: Northern Iowa (co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks)
2001-05: Northern Iowa (quarterbacks coach)
2000: Rutgers (quarterbacks coach, recruiting coordinator)
1996-99: Rutgers (assistant quarterbacks coach, recruiting coordinator)
1994-95: De Anza College (head coach)
1991-93: De Anza College (associated head coach/offensive coordinator)
1990-91: San Jose State (grad assistant)
Mike Dawson
Mike Dawson
Role: Outside linebackers | 2020 Salary: $325,000
Alma mater: UMass-Amherst (1997)
Connection to Frost: Dawson was a member of Frost's UCF staff in 2016-17 and coached the Husker defensive line in 2018 before leaving to take a position on the New York Giants staff.
What stands out: Dawson has been a member of a NFL coaching staff twice, and he drew rave reviews for his work in Lincoln in 2018.
Did you know: Dawson helped Oshane Ximines, the first Old Dominion player ever selected in the NFL Draft, record 4.5 sacks in his rookie season with the Giants in 2019.
College coaching experience
2019: New York Giants, Assistant Coach (Outside Linebackers)
2018: Nebraska, Assistant Coach (Defensive Line)
2016-17: UCF, Defensive Line
2014-15: Philadelphia Eagles, Assistant Coach (Assistant Defensive Line)
2013: Philadelphia Eagles, Defensive Quality Control
2009-11: Boston College, Assistant Coach (Special Teams)
2006-08: Akron, Assistant Coach (Linebackers)
2004-05: New Hampshire, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
2002-03: New Hampshire, Assistant Coach (Linebackers)
2001: New Hampshire, Assistant Coach (Offensive Line)
2000: New Hampshire, Assistant Coach (Linebackers)
1999: Pittsburgh, Graduate Assistant
1998: Maine, Defensive Assistant
1998 (Spring): UMass-Lowell, Assistant Coach (Defensive Line)
Barrett Ruud
Barrett Ruud
Role: Inside linebackers coach | Salary: $225,000
Alma mater: Nebraska (2005)
Connection to Frost: Ruud served on Scott Frost's staff the past two seasons at UCF as defensive quality control coach. When Ruud was hired, he recalled being a Lincoln middle schooler who "went to every game he (Frost) played as a quarterback."
What stands out: Ruud is regarded as one of the best linebackers in NU history, finishing his career with a school-record 432 tackles. He was a freshman All-American, a three-time All-Big 12 selection and a 2004 third-team All-American.
Did you know: Ruud was a second-round NFL Draft pick in 2005 and played eight seasons in the NFL, the first six with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also played for Tennessee, New Orleans and Houston.
College coaching experience
2016-17: UCF (defensive quality control coach)
Zach Duval
Zach Duval
Role: Head strength and conditioning coach | 2020 Salary: $400,000
Alma mater: Nebraska (1998)
Connection to Frost: Frost and Duval go way back. Duval was an assistant in the NU strength program when Frost played quarterback here. He was a graduate assistant in 1995-96 and then an assistant strength coach from 1997-02.
What stands out: Duval is considered to be on the leading edge of strength and conditioning in college athletics. He puts an emphasis on sleep and nutrition, and reportedly developed a strong rapport with many UCF players in his two years there.
Did you know: In 2002, Duval founded Xplosive Edge in Omaha. His brother, Gibbie, now owns and operates the business.
College coaching experience
2016-17: UCF (director of sports performance for football)
2013-14: Wyoming (director of sports performance)
2010-13: Buffalo (director of sports performance)
2009: Creighton (director of athletics performance)
2008: Nebraska (assistant strength coach)
1997-02: Nebraska (assistant strength coach)
1995-96: Nebraska (graduate assistant, strength)
Rutledge
Reach the writer at 402-473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com. On Twitter @HuskerExtraSip.
Steven M. Sipple
Husker sports columnist
Steven, a lifelong Nebraskan, newspaper enthusiast and UNL grad, joined the Journal Star in 1990 and has covered NU football since 1995.
