Nebraska
Report: Matt Rhule reuniting with longtime assistant coach Phil Snow
Report: Matt Rhule reuniting with longtime assistant coach Phil Snow
Phil Snow is back in the fold and will reunite with Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule on a full-time basis, per a report from Pete Thamel.
Snow will be reportedly joining Rhule’s staff as the Huskers’ associate head coach. It will be a reunion of two longtime coaching partners who are very familiar with each other.
Snow has been a full-time assistant on Rhule’s coaching staffs for 10 of the 12 years he has been a coach. Snow was the defensive coordinator for all 10 seasons of Rhule’s tenures as the coach of Temple (four seasons, 2013-16), Baylor (three seasons, 2017-19) and in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers (three seasons, 2020-22). He also served as Temple’s safeties coach all four of those years and Baylor’s safeties coach for one season (2019).
Snow was one of five finalists in 2019 for the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant in college football. He was also a semifinalist for the Broyles Award in 2014 and 2015 as Temple DC and safeties coach.
Sources told Inside Nebraska at the time that Rhule attempted to hire Snow as his defensive coordinator once again when he took the Nebraska head coaching job in November 2022. Snow, though, declined and elected to retire from coaching – or, at least, retire from any full-time on-field coaching role.
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Rhule, however, was able to add Snow as a defensive consultant for the Huskers during the 2024 season. The news of Snow’s addition in a consultant role trickled out in early November, and Rhule revealed one week later that Snow was performing those duties off-site away from the Huskers’ facilities.
“Phil doesn’t even come up here,” Rhule said on Nov. 11. “Phil does everything virtually for us. He watches tape, we have a couple guys that do things like that for us. When we were playing Colorado, he’d watch Colorado’s defense, dissect the defense for us, watch the offense, dissect the offense for us. Frank Verducci does the same thing for us, though he does come up on game days.
“We have a couple guys that help us, like in the NFL as advanced scouts, just sort of their take to give to the coordinator on Sundays. So when you walk in on Sunday, you already have someone who studied them for a week who knows your way of seeing things and the other team’s strengths and weaknesses.”
The addition of Snow in an off-the-field role as a defensive consultant was similar to his addition of Dana Holgorsen on the other side of the ball. Rhule initially hired Holgorsen as an offensive consultant and, ultimately, as the full-time offensive coordinator.
“Last week (the week after Nebraska’s loss to UCLA), I woke up Sunday morning, went through Sunday, and then got home and called both those guys and said, ‘Can you get up here at some point,’ then waited to see if they showed up on Monday or not,” Rhule said during that same Nov. 11 press conference. “… (Holgorsen) got done last year (as Houston head coach) and probably needed some time. And I called him (after the loss to UCLA) and said, ‘Hey, can you come in and help?’ So he and Phil came in and kind of looked through everything.
“… Just being out on the field, it looks like it’s flowing really well and moving really smoothly (the change from Marcus Satterfield to Holgorsen as OC). That was the take from Phil. He came in and said – and I trust Phil with my life – that I have a really good group of kids, you have a good defensive staff. It’s just some of these games, it’s a play here, a play there. You’re knocking the quarterback out of bounds on 3rd-and-8 when you need to come around and sack-fumble the ball. It’s just little edges here and there that we’re fighting for.”
Matt Rhule offseason staff changes
It is unclear how much Snow will be involved in Rhule’s defense this time around, but his background and impending hire both suggest he will be involved in some capacity. No matter the role, the pair will be reunited in a full-time capacity for 11 of 13 seasons during Rhule’s tenure as a head coach and at all four of Rhule’s head-coaching stops.
Though Snow’s hiring has not been officially announced by Rhule or Nebraska, the news is imminent as Rhule continues to give a significant facelift to his coaching staff entering Year 3.
The Nebraska head man is doing so amid a pair of significant departures (former defensive coordinator Tony White and former DL coach Terrance Knighton both leaving for those same positions at Florida State), another full-time assistant heading elsewhere (former WR coach Garret McGuire not being retained and heading to Texas Tech to join his father’s staff, Joey McGuire, as an offensive analyst and assistant RBs coach) and at least one other major demotion (former offensive coordinator/TEs coach Marcus Satterfield remaining with the Huskers to coach the tight ends but losing his OC job and his duties as a playcaller).
Rhule already brought in Holgorsen as a “corporate fixer” of sorts, hiring Holgorsen first as an offensive consultant during the Huskers’ second bye week after a 5-1 start and subsequent three-game losing streak left them at 5-4. Then, he announced the official change during USC Week that Holgorsen was replacing Satterfield.
This offseason, Holgorsen coaxed longtime assistant Daikiel Shorts, Holgorsen’s former three-year leading receiver as West Virginia head coach, to leave his one-year post as Kentucky’s WRs coach to take the same position at Nebraska.
Also, in addition to the Tuesday news of Snow’s impending hire, two more staff hires were revealed.
First, Nebraska secondary coach and pass game coordinator John Butler was elevated to full-time defensive coordinator to replace White.
Then, Kansas City Chiefs eight-year assistant Terry Bradden – who helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowl championships as a defensive assistant (2017), defensive quality control coach (2018-20) and assistant defensive line coach (2021-24) with Kansas City – was hired as the Huskers’ DL coach to replace Knighton.
Matt Rhule’s Year 3 Nebraska coaching staff
Below is a look at Rhule’s coaching staff heading into Year 3 at Nebraska compared to his staff in Years 1-2 during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
College head coaches are only permitted to have 10 full-time, on-field assistant coaches on their staffs. There are 13 full-time assistants listed on the table. Therefore, the coaching staff listed is not finalized and will not be set in stone, as there will have to be more changes made, whether that be via more departures, consolidation with one assistant absorbing multiple position groups or other moves.
Matt Rhule’s Year 3 Nebraska Coaching Staff*
*as of Dec. 10, 2024 ^new position on Year 3 coaching staff
(InvestigateTV) — Sometimes sports are about more than the final score.
For Jack Burke, a high school football player in Nebraska, a medical diagnosis at birth has never stopped him from competing — and a touchdown catch in his first play back from open heart surgery proved it.
Born with a rare heart defect
Burke was born with Scimitar syndrome, a rare heart defect in which babies are born with an underdeveloped right lung and pulmonary artery. The condition also affects blood flow to the right lung. Treatment often includes surgery, and many adults with the condition go on to live healthy lives.
“As a kid, I never really understood,” Burke said. “It was always natural for me that I had to push myself harder to keep up.”
His mother, Bridget Burke, says the condition was not initially considered dangerous for sports participation.
“His Scimitar Syndrome never really came into play as being dangerous for him to play sports,” she said.
The decision to operate
That changed in the spring of 2025, when Burke’s family and doctors decided it was time for a surgery that had been anticipated for years.
“I’ve kind of known I’ve had to get surgery my whole life,” Burke said. “Once I knew I could get the surgery sooner, I was all in. I wanted to get it so I could get back to sports.”
His father, Ryan Burke, says the timing was deliberate.
“This will be done before school gets started, and still have a chance to do almost everything you want to do,” Ryan Burke said.
Jack Burke underwent open-heart surgery, leaving a visible reminder of what he went through.
“There’s a six-inch scar in the middle of his chest that represents a pretty big thing that happened,” Ryan Burke said.
For Bridget Burke, the moment her son was taken to the operating room was difficult.
“When the rubber hits the road and your kid is being wheeled back to the OR, it is scary and emotional,” she said.
The comeback
Burke eased back into football following his cardiologist’s recommended recovery timeline. His return came in week three of the season.
“Before the Schuyler game I talked to his dad and he’s like, ‘I think we might be ready,’” said coach Jay Landstrom.
Bridget Burke says the family approached the return with caution.
“I mean, I was nervous. We didn’t really know how much he would play. It was going to be some cautious situations,” she said.
Those concerns were set aside — at least for a moment — when Burke caught a touchdown pass on his very first play back.
“All the parents were high-fiving everybody and they were like, ‘Was that really Jack?’” Bridget Burke said.
Landstrom called it a special moment.
“It was just meant to be and that was really special,” he said.
For Burke, the touchdown meant something beyond the scoreboard.
“I just remember one of my teammates came up to me and said, ‘He’s back. He’s back,’” Burke said. “It kind of shows something that tried to stop me — I hurdled that obstacle.”
Burke says the surgery has given him a new sense of freedom.
“Now I can do whatever I want. Nothing can hold me back,” he said.
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The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on April 19.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
4-3-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
14-19-24-30-34
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning 2 By 2 numbers from April 19 drawing
Red Balls: 01-02, White Balls: 09-26
Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning MyDay numbers from April 19 drawing
Month: 08, Day: 16, Year: 61
Check MyDay payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 19 drawing
32-42-52-53-55, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Nebraska Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 5: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lucky For Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- 2 By 2: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- MyDaY: By 10 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
The New Orleans Saints made a big splash in free agency when they signed Travis Etienne Jr. to pair with Alvin Kamara in the backfield. Etienne’s addition probably means that the Saints won’t select a back with an early choice in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, don’t be surprised if the team adds another back with a later pick. If that’s the case, Emmett Johnson of the Nebraska Cornhuskers could be someone on their radar.
Etienne will likely be the featured back, but Kamara’s future beyond 2026 is in some doubt. Kamara turns 31 in July and is entering his 10th season with a big contract after already showing some possible decline. Behind them, Kendre Miller has proven he shouldn’t be relied on and 2025 sixth round choice Devin Neal has flashed potential but remains unproven. The Saints may be wise to add more talent to their backfield with a middle or later round pick.
Emmett Johnson bio
- Position: Running back
- College: Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Height: 5-feet, 10 inches
- Weight: 202 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.56 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.59 seconds
- 3-cone drill: 7.32 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.29 seconds
- Vertical jump: 35.5″
- Broad jump: 10′
Recipient of the 2021 Minnesota Mr. Football award at Academy of Holy Angels High School, Johnson began with the Nebraska Cornhuskers as a three-star recruit. He’d take a redshirt in 2022 then rushed for 411 yards with 2 scores in 2023 as part of a backfield committee. In 2024, Johnson picked up 598 yards on the ground and caught 39 passes for 286 yards with 3 total scores.
By 2025, Johnson was the Cornhuskers featured weapon and exploded onto the national radar. Johnson’s 1,451 rushing yards and 251 carries both led the Big Ten and were among the NCAA leaders. He also caught a team-high 46 passes and scored 15 touchdowns, as his 1,821 yards from scrimmage were second across the NCAA. Those eye-popping numbers earned him 1st Team All-American honors as well as the 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year.
Strengths
- Hits rushing lanes with authority
- Makes sharp cuts at top speed
- Decisive north-south runner
- Good acceleration into the second level
- Legitimate receiving threat
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t have breakaway speed
- Has trouble creating yards when the hole isn’t there
- Must maintain balance better through contact
- Doesn’t break many tackles
- Only one year of high-level production
Emmett Johnson 2026 draft outlook
Johnson’s 2025 tape and production are worthy of a high pick, but teams looking for a featured back might be wary of his lack of power. Still, Johnson has a strong chance of being picked somewhere on the second day and shouldn’t last later than the fourth round. His decisive one-cut and go style and receiving ability gives him a strong chance to be an instant contributor with an incredibly high upside of a potential starter.
New Orleans has had success with late-round picks and undrafted players at running back. Emmett Johnson won’t last that long. But, if Johnson slips into Day 3, the Saints could be tempted to add him and bolster their backfield in multiple ways.
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