Campbell University

Bryan Butterworth was named defensive backs coach at Campbell University in the spring of 2015, and added defensive pass game coordinator to his duties prior to the 2016 season.
 
Under the guidance of Butterworth, Campbell has owned the Big South’s top pass defense in each of the last two seasons, leading the entire FCS in fewest passing yards allowed in 2018, surrendering just 122.5 per game.
 
Darion Slade earned First Team All-Big South honors in 2019, tallying 9.5 stops per game in conference play, tops among league defensive backs. Two more Campbell defensive backs were also named to Phil Steele’s Big South all-conference team, with cornerback Kam Prewitt tabbed to the second team, while Dorian Jones was named third team all-conference.
 
In addition to leading the FCS in fewest passing yards allowed in 2018, the Camels posted the seventh best pass efficiency defense (103.27). The Camels also ranked 15th in red zone defense (.724), 25th in scoring defense (22.0 points per game) and 25th in total defense (335.4 yards per game).
 
Butterworth, in his second stint on the Campbell coaching staff, returned to Sacred Heart, his alma mater, during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, helping guide the Pioneers to back to back Northeast Conference championships before coming back to Buies Creek in 2015. He also coached at Campbell in 2012.
 
Upon his return to CU, the Camels ranked fifth in the nation in total defense, allowing only 279.3 yards per game. Among FCS programs, Campbell also stood third in team sacks per game (3.55) and ninth in scoring defense (17.7). The team shattered program records for all three categories, adding single season marks for tackles for loss (85.0) and total sacks (38.0).
 
Defensive backs Chris Beaty and Brandon Mobley were also named honorable mention All-PFL.
 
The Camels again ranked among the nation's best defenses in 2016, standing 17th in the country in total defense, allowing only 322.1 yards per game. CU ranked 27th in rush defense (129.0) and 35th in passing yards allowed (193.1).
 
Campbell ranked among the nation’s leaders in takeaways in 2017, posting a school record 19 interceptions. Defensive back Carlos Merritt was also named First Team All-PFL, tying CU’s single-season record for interceptions with six. Merritt headlined a group of 10 Camels to be named All-PFL, including cornerback Dante Simmons, who was tabbed honorable mention all-conference after grabbing five interceptions.
 
Sacred Heart also ranked among the top defenses in FCS during Butterworth's tenure, leading the country in interceptions in 2013 and red zone defense in 2014. Sacred Heart reached the FCS Playoffs in both seasons, earning a No. 25 national ranking.
 
Butterworth coached AP All-American and All-NEC pick J.D. Roussel during both seasons, also tutoring All-NEC selection Gordon Hill. Roussel and Steven Thomas both received national defensive player of the week honors under Butterworth.
 
Butterworth previously coached the Campbell defensive backs during the 2012 season, also coordinating the Camels’ punt rush, kickoff units, punt return and kick return specialists.
 
He came to Campbell in the spring of 2012 after spending five seasons at the University of Massachusetts.
 
He worked with the Minutemen’s corners in 2011 in one of the toughest Football Championship Subdivision conferences in the country in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Butterworth coached the UMass cornerbacks in 2011 in a base 3-4 scheme. He also acted as the defensive sideline caller during the season.
 
Freshman cornerback Kirkland Nelms was selected to both the CAA and the Sports Network FCS National Rookie of the Week list (9/19/11). The Minutemen ranked sixth in the CAA in total defense (365.5), total defense (208.9) and sixth in interceptions (13) in 2011. The program also placed fifth in pass defense efficiency (124.6).
 
From 2008-11, Butterworth coached the safeties at UMass and aided the secondary to a 39th national finish in 2010. Two of the safeties he coached during his three years at the position were First Team All-CAA honorees. Butterworth came to UMass in 2007 as a Defensive Graduate Assistant. He worked directly with the program’s head coach, Don Brown, to coach a secondary that finished 34th nationally. He also assisted with the four special team units (kickoff, punt, punt return and field goal defense).
 
As a player, Butterworth played two years at Canisius in Buffalo, N.Y. and two years at Sacred Heart in Fairfield, Conn. At SHU, he was a two-time NEC All-Academic selection and a member of the NCAA Student-Athlete Academic Council. As a receiver he led the Pioneers with 36 catches for 403 yards as a senior in 2005.
 
Butterworth, a Scituate, Mass. native, graduated Cum Laude from Sacred Heart in 2005 with a degree in business.