If Nebraska football fans weren’t nervous before about Tony White leaving for UCLA, what happened on Sunday probably should have made them a little jumpy. White, who played linebacker for the Bruins from 1997 to 2000, could be returning to his alma mater after Chip Kelly's surprising departure to Ohio State.
According to Bruce Feldman, the Nebraska football defensive coordinator is still involved in the search for Kelly’s replacement. The other men who were thought to be the top candidates have all said no.
Minnesota’s PJ Fleck was the most high-profile of the coaches to turn down the Bruins over the weekend. New Arizona and former San Jose State head coach Brent Brennan also made it very clear he wasn’t leaving his new post either.
Washington head coach Jedd Fisch said he was never interested and would be staying with the Huskies. As a candidate for a team that lost its head coach in February because he didn’t want to be a head coach anymore, is still on the lookout for a new head man.
Tony White isn’t the last man standing. But it appears he’s one of the last. According to various reports, the Bruins are also interested in UNLV head coach Barry Odom, Stanford head coach Troy Taylor, and former UCLA running back and current assistant coach DeShaun Foster.
UCLA’s athletic director Martin Jarmond has said that he wants to hire a new coach within 96 hours of when Kelly stepped down.
Nebraska Football’s Tony White still ‘involved’ in UCLA search
This is far from the first time that White has been involved in a head coaching search this winter. He was reportedly interviewed by San Diego State and was thought to be a candidate for Syracuse.
He either lost out or turned both of those jobs down. It stands to reason that if UCLA comes calling, it will be harder to turn down his alma mater. If he takes the job, not only will Nebraska football have to look for another DC, but will have to deal with their old one as a conference rival.