Nebraska makes ruthless decision on defensive coach Erik Chinander after blowout loss

Lincoln, Nebraska - Following the 49-14 blowout loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, another remnant of the Scott Frost era at Nebraska has been removed from the program as interim head coach Mickey Joseph fired defensive coordinator Erik Chinander.

Nebraska's interim head coach Mickey Joseph fired defensive coordinator Erik Chinander on Sunday following their 49-14 loss to Oklahoma.
Nebraska's interim head coach Mickey Joseph fired defensive coordinator Erik Chinander on Sunday following their 49-14 loss to Oklahoma.  © STEVEN BRANSCOMBE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Chinander’s termination comes just one week after then-head coach Scott Frost was let go in the wake of a home loss to Georgia Southern.

The Cornhuskers, currently 1–3, surrendered 580 yards of total offense to their former Big 12 rivals, the Sooners, in their second consecutive home loss this year.

Collectively this season, the Huskers have given up an 514 yards offensively per game on average – the fourth-worst record in the country.

Nebraska also only averages to give up 35.5 points per game, ranking 114 out of the 131 FBS teams.

"We appreciate Erik and the work and dedication he has given to our football program," Joseph said in a statement.

"At this time, I feel that it is in the best interest of the Nebraska football program to take the leadership of the defense in another direction and decided Bill Busch will take over as defensive coordinator," he added.

In 2018, Chinander joined the Huskers coaching staff alongside Scott Frost after the duo spent two years together at UCF, including the program's first ever undefeated regular season in 2017.

Special teams coordinator Bill Busch will take over as the team’s interim defensive coordinator for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Cover photo: SCOMBE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

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