Report: Nebraska's Tony White, FSU Agree to DC Contract; Joins Mike Norvell's Staff

After a successful run with Nebraska over the last two years, defensive coordinator Tony White has found a new home.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported on Monday that White has agreed to join head coach Mike Norvell's staff at Florida State as its next defensive coordinator.

White will be replacing former Seminoles defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, who was among the team's firings following its 1-9 start to the 2024 season. He will be taking over a unit that allowed averages of 385.9 yards and 28.0 points per game this year. Florida State finished the regular season with a 2-10 record, its fewest amount of wins since 1974.

White joined Matt Rhule's staff at Nebraska prior to the 2023 campaign after multiple stops that included defensive coordinator roles with Syracuse and Arizona State. In his first year with the Cornhuskers, he led a unit that allowed just 92.9 rushing yards and 303.5 total yards per game, both of which were the best marks the program had seen in over a decade. He earned a nomination for the 2023 Broyles Award, which is given to the top assistant coach in the nation.

Nebraska performed at a similar level this year, allowing 105.8 rushing yards, 315.4 total yards and 19.8 points per game.

Prior to his coaching career, White was a three-year starter at linebacker for UCLA. After going undrafted in the 2002 NFL draft, he briefly signed with the practice squad for the Buffalo Bills before embarking on a three-year career in the CFL.

In addition to the hiring of White, Florida State also recently announced the hiring of former Auburn and UCF head coach Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator as Norvell continues to rebuild his staff.