Bryan Butterworth - Football Coach - East Carolina University Athletics

Bryan Butterworth

Title:
Nickels
Email:
butterworthb22@ecu.edu
Phone:
(252) 737-4570

Bryan Butterworth is in his fifth season at East Carolina University and third where he has coached the SAM and Nickle linebackers. He originally came to ECU on March 14, 2022, serving as the director of player development.

Last year (2025), the Pirates saw the emergence of Jonathan Jean and Kevon Merrell Jr, who combined for 71 tackles with 8.0 TFLs (-20 yards) that included 2.0 sacks (-8 yards). In his lone year with the program, Jean tallied 43 tackles (25 solo) with 3.5 TFLs (-11 yards) that included 2.0 sacks (-8 yards). Merrell, in his second year at ECU, had a breakout second half of the season accounting for 28 stops (19 solo) with 4.5 TFLs (-9 yards). Against FAU in the regular season finale, he tallied eight tackles (four solo) and against Pittsburgh in the Go Bowling Military Bowl, he was credited with three stops and helped seal a 23-17 victory after picking off a pass a returning it 70 yards to the Panthers 15 yard line setting up Nick Mazzie’s third field goal of the contest.

In 2024, led by junior Gavin Gibson, the Nickle position accounted for over 80 tackles and five takeaways. Gibson tallied 52 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and picked off three passes, which was tied for the team lead.

Prior to his arrival in Greenville, he served as Campbell's defensive pass game coordinator and secondary coach for six seasons. Under his guidance, the Camels owned the Big South Conference's top pass defense in each of his last two full seasons, leading the entire Football Championship Subdivision in fewest passing yards allowed in 2018 by surrendering just 122.5 per game.

In addition to leading the FCS in fewest passing yards allowed, Campbell posted the seventh best pass efficiency defense (103.27) while ranking among the Top 25 in red zone defense (15th/72.4%), scoring defense (25th/22.0 ppg) and total defense (25th/335.4 ypg). Butterworth was responsible for the development of 11 All-Conference selections at Defensive Back during his time at Campbell.

Following his first stint on the CU staff in 2012, Butterworth returned to alma mater Sacred Heart (Conn.) for the 2013 and 2014 seasons and helped guide the Pioneers to consecutive Northeast Conference titles. SHU also ranked among the top defenses at the FCS level during Butterworth's tenure in Fairfield, 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.

Before to his initial hire at Campbell, he spent five seasons at the University of Massachusetts where he worked with the Minutemen’s cornerbacks in 2011. From 2008 to 2010, Butterworth directed 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-Colonial Athletic Association selections.

Butterworth started his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at UMass in 2007, working directly with head coach Don Brown, while also assisting with four special team units (kickoff, punt, punt return and field goal defense).

As an undergraduate, Butterworth played two years at Canisius (N.Y.) and two seasons at Sacred Heart. 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 native of Scituate, Mass., graduated Cum Laude from Sacred Heart in 2005 with a degree in business.