Nebraska Football: Tony White somehow misses the cut for Broyles Award

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 06: Associate head coach and defensive coordinator Tony White of the Nebraska Cornhuskers reacts against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Memorial Stadium on October 06, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 06: Associate head coach and defensive coordinator Tony White of the Nebraska Cornhuskers reacts against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Memorial Stadium on October 06, 2023 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Nebraska football defensive coordinator Tony White didn’t make the cut for the Broyles Award for best assistant coaches and that raises some questions.

If someone were to name the best performances by offensive or defensive coordinators this year, it seems like it wouldn’t take long at all to name Nebraska football’s defensive coordinator, Tony White.

That’s why it’s more than a bit strange that when the semifinalists for the Frank Broyles Award, the award given to the best assistant coach in the country, was announced on Monday, Tony White’s name wasn’t among those still in the running.

Keep in mind, White is someone who seems almost destined to get a head coaching job at some point this winter. Whether it’s with Syracuse, or San Diego State or at a place that doesn’t yet have an opening.

People have already come calling, according to Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule. And Rhule was clear that he’s given White his blessing. But somehow he’s not one of the 15 best assistant coaches in the country?

I’m not buying it.

No doubt that particular list is full of talented coaches. But White deserves to be on it.

When comparing the coaches who did made the list, an argument can absolutely be made for the Huskers’ defensive coordinator:

  • Alabama – Tommy Rees, Offensive Coordinator/QB
  • Florida State – Adam Fuller, Defensive Coordinator
  • Georgia – Mike Bobo, Offensive Coordinator/QB
  • Iowa – Phil Parker, Defensive Coordinator/Secondaries
  • James Madison – Bryant Haines, Defensive Coordinator/LB
  • Louisville – Ron English, Defensive Coordinator
  • LSU – Mike Denbrock, Offensive Coordinator/TE
  • Michigan – Sherrone Moore, Offensive Coordinator/OL
  • Missouri – Kevin Peoples, Defensive Line/Edge
  • Ohio State – Jim Knowles, Defensive Coordinator/LB
  • Oregon – Will Stein, Offensive Coordinator
  • Penn State – Manny Diaz, Defensive Coordinator/LB
  • Texas – Pete Kwiatkowski, Defensive Coordinator/OLB
  • UCLA – D’Anton Lynn, Defensive Coordinator
  • Washington – Ryan Grubb, Offensive Coordinator/QB

One thing you’ll notice about this list is that every man on it, is an assistant on a team that has at least seven wins. Only UCLA has less than nine.

So is the award for the best assistant or a coach on the best teams? Nebraska football might not be among the best teams in the country this year but its defense is among the cream of the crop.

When you consider where the Blackshirts were a year ago, the job Tony White has done is even more impressive.

Nebraska was ranked in the 90s in total defense in 2022. This season, they are 15th in total yards per game. They are sixth in the country in rush defense. They’ve allowed just 18.7 points per game after allowing 27.6 points per game a year ago.

If the Frank Broyles award is going to be awarded to the best coach, it certainly seems as though Nebraska football has one of the 15 best. It’s a shame he’s not going to get that recognition.