Tony White to be FSU football's new defensive coordinator: Great success coaching defenses

Tony White to be FSU football’s new defensive coordinator: Great success coaching defenses

Posted by Admin December 2, 2024 Football

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Mike Norvell had found his guy to run his defense.

Tony White is leaving the big red of Nebraska for the garnet and gold to be Florida State football‘s next defensive coordinator.

This all happened less than 48 hours after Gus Malzahn resigned as UCF head coach to become FSU’s next offensive coordinator.

FSU needed a defensive change after Adam Fuller’s firing. The Seminoles finished the season ranked 87th in the country in points allowed (28 per game) and 90th in total yards allowed per game (385 yards).

FSU also struggled in third-down stops (111th nationally), creating takeaways (131st) and stopping the run (131st)

Based on his resume, all of FSU’s defense weaknesses could develop into strengths with White. While nothing is official as of yet, here are some things to know about White.

Tony White coached one of the best defenses in the country

In the past two seasons, Nebraska’s blackshirt defense was one of the best in the Big Ten and nationally while under White.

This season, the Cornhuskers ended the regular season ranked 14th in run defense, 23rd in yards per carry (3.49), and 19th in both scoring defense (19.8) and total defense (315.4).

The Cornhuskers also have not allowed a rushing touchdown at Memorial Stadium all year. In 2023, the Cornhuskers were ranked in the top 15 nationally in rushing defense, total defense, and scoring defense.

White was one of the 57 assistant coordinators nominated for the Ryan Broyles Award for two consecutive years.

Tony White was a coach on the field while at UCLA

White discovered his coaching trait when he was a linebacker at UCLA. White, born in Key, West Florida, was a three-year starter for the Bruins (1997-2000).

He was known to play all three linebacker positions throughout his college career.

In his sophomore year, he became a starter and was part of the Bruins team that played in the Rose Bowl during the 1998 season. He was also known as an on-field coach.

White signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He also spent four years in the Canadian Football League, playing for the Calgary Stampeders, Ottawa Renegades and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

He returned to UCLA as a graduate assistant in 2007.

Everywhere he went, Tony White was a successful defensive coach

White made a name for himself when he had defensive assistant jobs at the FBS level.

After one year as a linebackers coach at New Mexico in 2008, he made his next stop at San Diego State, where he spent nine seasons there as cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator (2009-17).

Throughout his tenure, the Aztecs won three Mountain West titles and were two-time recruiters of the year at the conference by Scout.com and the top recruiter in non-power-five conferences by Rivals.com.

One of the notable players he coached is NFL cornerback Damontae Kazee, who is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers. While at Arizona State, he served as cornerbacks coach and pass-game coordinator (2018-19). ‘

He improved the Sun Devils‘ pass defense from 120th to 12th nationally in passes defended (65) and 25th in interceptions (13) in 2019. He also served as interim defensive coordinator last year at ASU.

Syracuse was White’s first defensive coordinator role, where he worked under Dino Babers from 2020-22. He also coached linebackers.

The Orange were a top-25 defense in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, including being ranked 10th nationally in defensive touchdowns.

Tony White was considered for head coaching jobs

White’s 18-year coaching career is substantial enough to be considered for head coaching jobs.

After the 2023 season, White was a candidate for his alma mater, UCLA and San Diego State, where he spent nine years.

He chose to stay for one more season while receiving a $1.6 million increase. Nebraska finished the year 6-6 this season.

Matt Rhule loses another assistant to FSU

White is not the first coach to leave Matt Rhule’s staff for FSU.

Earlier this year, Phil Simpson, who played for Rhule at Temple, joined the Seminoles as a defensive coordinator after one year as a defensive quality control coach at NU.

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.