Aurich, Yelk bring new scheme and fresh energy to Nebraska fall camp

Nebraska's fall camp is underway with two new faces leading the defense, as defensive coordinator Rob Aurich and safeties coach Tyler Yelk spoke to the media on Tuesday, outlining their vision for a Cornhuskers unit that struggled a season ago.

Aurich arrives in Lincoln after one season at San Diego State, where his defense finished fifth in scoring defense nationally, allowing 12.6 points per game, and ranked in the top ten in yards per game allowed, yards per pass, rushing touchdowns allowed, and opponent completion percentage. He replaces John Butler, who was dismissed by head coach Matt Rhule after just one season. Aurich's arrival marks a philosophical shift: Nebraska transitions from the 3-3-5 scheme it ran over the past three seasons to Aurich's preferred 4-2-5 alignment.

We talk about being simple, fast and violent. But I think if you talk to our guys, we certainly try to carry enough to attack the opponent we're seeing. We want to teach simply, but our guys still have to manage a decent amount of install.

— Rob Aurich, Nebraska defensive coordinator

Yelk Returns to College Football After Eagles Stint

Joining Aurich in the new-look staff is first-year safeties coach Tyler Yelk, who spent the previous three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles in various support roles, including as an assistant to the head coach and a defensive assistant. Yelk was part of the Eagles' coaching staff when the team won the Super Bowl. Before his time in the NFL, Yelk logged 14 years in college football, serving as defensive backs coach at Temple and safeties coach at Idaho, where he previously worked under Aurich. During that 2022 season at Idaho, the Vandals ranked fifth in the FCS in interceptions with 16, and placed in the top 25 in both pass defense and team pass-defense efficiency.

In one word, seamlessly. That's a credit to Rob. His ability, his emotional IQ — everybody is confident, teetering on arrogant in this profession, and to be able to humble yourself, to be a part of something bigger than you, is what we all have to do. Everybody has done that, but we're ultimately aligned due to Rob's leadership.

— Tyler Yelk, Nebraska safeties coach

Nebraska opens the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when Ohio visits Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on FS1.