Aurich, Wade Join Nebraska Football Coaching Staff
Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule announced today that Rob Aurich and Geep Wade have joined the Husker coaching staff.
Aurich will lead the defensive staff as the Huskers’ defensive coordinator, while Wade will coach the Nebraska offensive line. Both coaches join the Huskers after being a part of teams that won nine games in the 2025 season.
Aurich comes to Nebraska after two seasons at San Diego State, including the 2025 season as defensive coordinator. Aurich helped the Aztecs boast one of the nation’s top defenses this season, and he was a nominee for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.
Aurich’s San Diego State defense led the country with three shutouts this season and held eight of 12 opponents to 10 or fewer points. SDSU ranked in the top 10 nationally in 10 categories while posting the fifth-best scoring defense in Mountain West history and the top scoring defense at San Diego State since 1976. The 12.5 points per game allowed in 2025 ranked fifth nationally and was a 17-point improvement from the 2024 season.
SDSU also ranked second nationally in ESPN.com’s Stop Rate, were tied for first nationally in Red Zone defense and ranked third in pass efficiency defense. The Aztecs allowed an average of 4.12 yards per play to rank fifth nationally while ranking 16th in the FBS by allowing 3.2 yards per rushing attempt. Aurich coached the edge players in his first season at San Diego State in 2024.
“Rob Aurich is one of the top young defensive coaches in the country,” Rhule said. “Success has followed Rob at every stop he has made during his coaching career. Rob will bring great fundamentals, energy and toughness, and his defenses play with the style and energy level I want out of our defense. We are excited to have Rob, and his young family join our Husker family.”
A Minnesota-Duluth graduate, Aurich has made a steady rise in the coaching ranks over the past 12 seasons. He began his career at the Division II level, spending four seasons at Bemidji State from 2014 to 2017. He spent six seasons in the FCS ranks from 2018 to 2023 before moving onto San Diego State. Aurich has served as a defensive coordinator in all three divisions and produced a top 25 defense at each stop.
“I am truly honored and humbled to step into this role,” Aurich said. “I have tremendous respect for the history of this program and for it means to wear this logo. Nebraska’s fan base is passionate, knowledgeable and unwavering in its expectations. I look forward to embracing those standards and can’t wait to get to work.”
Wade joins the Huskers after serving as Georgia Tech’s offensive line coach the past three seasons and brings 22 years of college coaching experience to the Husker staff. The Yellow Jacket offensive line has been outstanding under Wade’s direction. Over the past years, Georgia Tech ranked seventh nationally in fewest sacks allowed, ninth in rushing yards per attempt and 13th in rushing yards per game.
Wade is a proven developer of offensive linemen. In his 11 seasons as a full-time FBS offensive line coach, Wade’s linemen have combined for 23 all-conference awards, including nine All-ACC awards for his Yellow Jacket linemen from 2023 to 2025.
“Geep Wade is well-known as one of the top offensive line coaches in college football,” Rhule said. “His offensive lines play with great technique, discipline and tenacity, and they have excelled in both powering dynamic running games and providing elite pass protection. He also has a proven track record as a high-level recruiter. Geep and his family will be a great addition to Husker Nation.”
Wade was a team captain at Chattanooga as a player and has previous offensive line experience at several schools, including FBS stops at Tennessee, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, East Carolina, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State.
“The tradition at the University of Nebraska is unmatched,” Wade said. “I have known Coach Rhule for many years. I understand what he stands for and the type of program he is establishing, and I wanted to be a part of that.”
Wade will join the Nebraska staff for bowl preparations and be on the sideline with the Huskers for the Vegas Bowl matchup with Utah.