Kevin McGarry is in his second season as Nebraska’s senior defensive analyst in 2024. McGarry, who has previous collegiate head coaching experience, has worked with Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White at both Syracuse and San Diego State.
In his first season at Nebraska in 2023, McGarry helped the Huskers post their top statistical defense of the Big Ten era. The Blackshirts ranked 11th nationally in total defense, their highest ranking since 2009. NU also ranked 13th nationally in scoring defense, the program's best mark since the 2010 season.
McGarry came to Nebraska after serving as a defensive analyst at Syracuse for three seasons from 2020 to 2022, when White was the Orange defensive coordinator. McGarry helped Syracuse post the nation’s most improved defense in 2022, when Syracuse moved up 93 spots in the total defense rankings to finish with the No. 19 defense in the country. The Orange ranked in the top 10 nationally in defensive touchdowns in two of his three seasons.
Prior to Syracuse, McGarry was on the San Diego State staff for 11 years, working with White for nine of those seasons. McGarry served a variety of roles with the Aztecs, coaching the linebackers, defensive line and special teams while also filling the roles of director of player personnel and director of on campus recruiting.
McGarry was the head coach at the University of San Diego for eight seasons from 1996 to 2003. He posted a 39-38 record with the Toreros and was the 2002 Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year. Before leading the San Diego program, McGarry served as an assistant for the Toreros for 18 seasons from 1978 to 1995. He was the defensive coordinator for his final 16 seasons as an assistant.
McGarry earned his bachelor’s degree in English/diversified liberal arts and his master’s degree in educational administration from San Diego. After beginning his career at Saddleback College, McGarry played two seasons at San Diego as both a defensive back and wide receiver. He was the team’s defensive player of the year as a senior.