Rob Dvoracek

Rob Dvoracek is in his second season as Nebraska’s linebackers coach in 2024. Dvoracek came to Nebraska after spending two seasons coaching in the National Football league, and he has spent six of his eight seasons on Matt Rhule staffs.

A promising young coach, Dvoracek has experience at two Power Five programs in addition to being an NFL assistant. He also boasts previous experience in being part of a program rebuild, as Dvoracek spent two years at Baylor during the Bears’ three-year turnaround from a one-win season in 2017 to an 11-win season in 2019.

In his first season at Nebraska in 2023, Dvoracek and his linebackers helped NU finish with its best rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense in the Big Ten era (since 2011).

Dvoracek’s linebackers were a key part of a stout Nebraska defense in 2023. The Blackshirts ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense, allowing the program’s fewest rushing yards per game (92.9) since 1999. The Husker defense also ranked 11th in total defense and 13th in scoring defense, posting the program’s highest national finish in those categories since 2010 and 2011, respectively.

The Husker linebacking corps featured four of Nebraska’s six leading tacklers in 2023. Luke Reimer, a third-team All-Big Ten selection, battled injuries to record 48 tackles in 2023, including 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Javin Wright flourished under Dvoracek’s coaching, ranking second on the team with 51 tackles after entering the year with nine tackles in his first four seasons. John Bullock saw similar success, totaling 50 tackles after recording six tackles in his first four seasons. Nick Henrich added 42 tackles before suffering a season-ending injury. The quartet of Reimer, Wright, Bullock and Henrich combined for 191 tackles, 16.0 TFLs and 9.0 sacks.

Princewill Umanmielen also shined as a true freshman under Dvoracek. Umanmielen recorded 22 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack.

BEFORE NEBRASKA
CAROLINA PANTHERS: Dvoracek spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as part of Rhule’s staff with the Carolina Panthers. Dvoracek served as a coaching assistant in 2021 and a defensive assistant in 2022. His work with the Panther defense helped Carolina rank second in the NFL in total defense in 2021.

LEHIGH: Dvoracek spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons as the defensive ends and outside linebackers coach at Lehigh. In 2019, the Mountain Hawks allowed 14 fewer points and 100 fewer yards per game than in 2018 while recording 14 more sacks. Lehigh ranked 10th in the FCS in first downs allowed, 20th in scoring defense (21.4), 26th in rushing defense (130.5) and 28th in total defense (346.3). Individually, Dvoracek helped defensive end Mikhari Sibblis earn freshman All-America honors.

The 2020 season was cut short due to the pandemic, as Lehigh played only a three-game schedule in the spring of 2021, when the defense allowed only 252.7 yards and 15.3 points per game.

BAYLOR: After playing one season for Rhule at Temple and then serving as a student assistant for the Owls, Dvoracek followed Rhule to Baylor. He spent two seasons on the Bears’ staff as a defensive quality control coach. Dvoracek helped Rhule lay the foundation for Baylor’s resurgence in his two seasons. After a 1-11 season in 2017, the Bears went 7-6 in 2018 with a bowl victory.

PLAYING CAREER (TEMPLE)
Dvoracek was a linebacker at Temple for two seasons in 2012 and 2013 before suffering a career-ending injury. He played for Rhule in 2013 and then served as a student assistant following his injury. Dvoracek was a two-year letterwinner for the Owls who recorded 31 career tackles with 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack and three passes defended.

PERSONAL
Dvoracek earned his bachelor’s degree in adult and organizational development from Temple in 2016 and his master’s degree in educational leadership in 2017.