The Nebraska football team officially has a new defensive coordinator in Tony White. There had been talk that he was joining the team on Thursday but Friday it was made officially official.
The thing about White is that while he’s a fairly accomplished defensive coordinator, he’s not someone who is well known among Nebraska football faithful. Because of that, there were more than a few people who were asking just who this new hire was.
Luckily there were plenty of people who were happy to point out what White brings to the table.
Right at the top of the list when it comes to White’s accomplishments is that the Orangemen run what is referred to by Syracuse faithful as the “Mob Defense.” The basic tenets are that it’s aggressive and people fly to the ball. The approach has seen the ACC squad improve its defense quite a bit over the years and lead the team to a bowl game for the first time since 2018.
My sources (@bykevinclark) inform me that Tony White is half Korean?? Nebraska football is BACK #GBR https://t.co/fIvNYsDnu3
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 8, 2022
Huge hire by Nebraska — @CuseCoachTW led one of nation’s best defensive turnarounds at Syracuse https://t.co/U9JAvOKlHf
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) December 8, 2022
If Tony White wanted my advice (doubtful) I'd go straight to Columbus, Nebraska and visit with the Hausmann family. #Huskers
— Greg Smith (@GregSmithRivals) December 8, 2022
Tony White is a good DC
— Bryan Wilson (@FrshYelGrizzly) December 8, 2022
not flashy
But having come across him on the West Coast a few times excellent recruiter, and his San Diego State defenses were very good and physical
He fits the Rhule model of a coach/recruiter
Not sexy
Nebraska's new Defensive Coordinator Tony White was named the Mountain West Recruiter of the Year TWICE and was named the Top recruiter in the country for Non Power 5 Schools by Rivals.
— HuskGuys (@HuskGuys) December 8, 2022
.@CoachMattRhule is building a recruiting JUGGERNAUT
Welp. That one stings for SU. White made a huge difference for the @CuseFootball defense in the past few years. Some were hoping he’d be the next head coach here. Big, big hire for Matt Rhule. https://t.co/b3cVewC8VT
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) December 8, 2022
There are certainly some people who aren’t thrilled that the new Nebraska football defensive coordinator isn’t a high profile hire. However, he is someone who is well respected in the college football world.
While there is some concern that he runs a 3-3-5 defense, which is not something all that well mapped out for the Big Ten, there are enough people out there who believe his defense can adjust to what his defense calls for in the conference.
As is the case with really all of Mat Rhule’s hires this winter, it’s going to be a long time before anyone really knows what we have with Tony White. It’s worth pointing out that he doesn’t have any ties to Matt Rhule.
There had been some who voiced concern that he appeared to be hiring his buddies only. The White hire shows that he’s trying to put together a staff that will make Nebraska football better.