Marco Butler is in his first season as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb, joining the program in the summer of 2018. He will coach the outside linebackers in Gardner-Webb’s 3-4 scheme, a group that will feature standout sophomores Robert McKoy and Shai Thomas in 2018.
Butler came to Gardner-Webb after one season at Division II Catawba College, coaching the Indians’ cornerbacks. His work last season helped Catawba’s defense record 12 interceptions and 44 pass break ups. The Indians allowed just six passing touchdowns all season – and limited teams to just a 47 percent completion rate. The defensive effort powered Catawba to a 9-2 mark that included a win over Division I Virginia Military Institue.
Butler has 17 years of coaching experience, including Division I stops at Hampton (2014) and Norfolk State (2005-2013). Butler also has college coaching experience at Division II Fayetteville State. He also served as head Track & Field coach at Fayetteville State in 2004-2005.
Butler joined the Catawba program in 2017 after spending the 2016 season as defensive backs coach at Independence (N.C.) High in Charlotte. Each of Butler’s stops on the coaching circuit have seen him work on the defensive side of the football with several stints working with special teams.
Butler began his coaching career at Fayetteville State University in 2001 and was on staff for a pair of conference championships teams and three NCAA II playoff squads. In 2005, he joined the staff at Norfolk State University.
At Norfolk State, Butler served as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. In 2011, Norfolk State claimed the MEAC Championship and earned the school’s first berth in the FCS Playoffs with a defense that ranked second in the nation in total defense and fourth in scoring defense. Butler’s 2013 secondary ranked seventh in the nation in pass defense. The Spartan defense ranked second overall with 19 interceptions and third with 33 total takeaways. Butler moved to Hampton University for the 2014 season where he was the defensive backs coach and serves as the interim defensive coordinator.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Butler has served NFL Coaching Fellowships with the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. He attended the NCAA-NFL Coaching Academy in Orlando, Fla., in 2011. Butler has coached five players who have been signed in the NFL, including Don Carey, a 2009 NFL Draftee by the Cleveland Browns.
Butler played receiver and defensive back at Western Carolina, graduating in 2000 with a degree in sports management and a minor in marketing.
He and his wife, Shauna, have two children, a daughter, Eva, and a son, Marco.
