Why Nebraska DC Tony White wants to go ‘even harder’ after deciding to return to…

Why Nebraska DC Tony White could soon be a head coach

LINCOLN, Nebraska — Late November of last year marked a turning point for Nebraska’s defensive staff and Tony White as White’s name rose and the coaching carousel started to spin.

In the college football offseason, things move quickly. Offers are made quickly. Decisions need to be made.

Coach Matt Rhule approached the 44-year-old defensive coordinator, White, while he was thinking about his future—yes, he did say he had a decision to make—and asked him a straightforward question: Do you believe we will be better next year?

“I expressed my belief in him. I have faith in us. This week, while seated in the defensive meeting room at Memorial Stadium, White stated, “I believe in this process.” “I think Nebraska is right.”

We’re going to be better, Coach, I think, as I took a seat back. I genuinely think that.

Alright, said Rhule, who added that he would also give the Huskers’ position coaches on defense a reward. After that, staying to coach at Nebraska in 2024 was a “fairly easy decision.”

For the final two years of his contract, White received a 60% pay increase, making him the highest-paid assistant coach in Nebraska history.

What chance had he passed up? White remains silent. It was rumored that White was a contender for the head coaching positions at San Diego State, Syracuse, and his former university, UCLA, in February. Additionally, he was mentioned in relation to the USC defensive coordinator.

His dream of being a head coach still exists. White, however, stated he is not about money. He thinks the Huskers will soon win again and that he can still improve as a coach at Nebraska.

“Many of the decisions made by the guys in this (defensive) room are unknown to the public,” stated White. “Any one of them might have disappeared.”

Out of the defensive staff, only quality control assistant Phil Simpson left. Now, he attends Florida State.

After joining the Big Ten in 2011, Nebraska’s greatest statistical defensive team has been led by defensive line coach Terrance Knighton, linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek, and secondary coach Evan Cooper. All three coaches were kept on by the Huskers.