Tag: Tony White

Report: Terrance Knighton joining Florida State coaching staff

Terrance Knighton will be joining the Florida State coaching staff

Nebraska defensive line coach Terrance Knighton is leaving to take the same position at Florida State. This was reported by On3’s Sean Callahan. Knighton confirmed the news himself with a goodbye tweet to Huskers fans.

Knighton was part of Matt Rhule’s initial staff when the latter took the head coach position in 2022. He quickly was able to establish his style on the Huskers defensive line. The defensive line enjoyed tremendous success, as they had a top-15 rush defense nationally.

Knighton’s departure did not have any instant ramifications on the 2025 recruiting class. Knighton recruited the likes of Tyson Terry, Kade Pietrzak, and Malcolm Simpson. All three signed their letter of intent to play in Lincoln on Wednesday.

It will be interesting to see who replaces Knighton. The position itself has a ton of talent at its disposal for the future. In terms of player personnel, there will be several holes to fill on the line. Losing Knighton will certainly be a challenge for a Huskers defensive line that has to start over.

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Report: Tony White expected to be named Florida State defensive coordinator

Defensive coordinator Tony White and defensive line coach Terrance Knighton appear to be headed to Florida State.

Nebraska football defensive coordinator Tony White is expected to take the same position with the Florida State Seminoles. According to a report from Rivals.com Greg Smith, defensive line coach Terrance Knighton is also expected to join White at Florida State.

Nebraska ranked 19th in the NCAA in total defense this season. They gave up 5.39 yards per play and 30 overall touchdowns.

Knighton, in particular, was instrumental in developing Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson. Those two recorded eight sacks combined on the season.

He was also instrumental in getting some of the top recruits for the class of 2025. Knighton recruited edge defenders Princewill Umamielen and Cameron Lenhardt into the program. He also did a lot of legwork for the 2025 recruiting class, including landing Kade Pietrzak and Malcolm Simpson.

This is interesting timing, given that early signing day is two days away. One has to wonder if Nebraska will look outwards for replacements or keep things in-house.

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Tony White shares story of John Bullock’s development

John Bullock has become a key piece of the Nebraska football defense

Nebraska football defensive coordinator Tony White shared a story about linebacker John Bullock and his initial role when the coaching staff arrived. Matt Rhule saw the potential in Bullock and moved him to a more prominent spot at the linebacker position.

It’s safe to say that the move worked. Bullock has become an integral part of the Husker’s defense over the last two seasons. He broke out in the 2023 campaign and tallied 50 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

He has picked up where he left off this year, as he has 29 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. His lone interception on the season was a pick-six on Saturday against Purdue.

He’s a local guy, he’s a Nebraska guy, right? He comes over here, he walks on. I still remember the day where he is the fourth safety when we get here, he’s the fourth safety or so, fourth or fifth safety, and literally Coach Rhule standing back there and he was like ‘Hey, you see that guy right there? Let’s move him to linebacker.'”

The move to linebacker appears to have paid dividends for both parties involved. Bullock is on his way to another stellar season, while the Nebraska football defense is again finding its footing.

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Joel Klatt believes Nebraska could vie for College Football Playoff

Joel Klatt believes Nebraska could have a strong season in 2024.

Nebraska football’s preseason hype continues to roll, with several national college football analysts projecting a successful season for the program. Joel Klatt believes Nebraska will be able to knock on the door of the College Football Playoff when all is said and done.

First, the ultimate goal is a bowl game. Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola looks to take charge of the quarterback position. New talent at wide receiver also provides hope for optimism.

In addition, the program returns a defense that ranked 11th overall in college football last season with another year under defensive coordinator Tony White.

Klatt made his case for Nebraska on his show Tuesday night, citing Raiola and the favorable schedule as two major reasons why Nebraska will have a shot at the Playoff.

It’s certainly not out of the realm of possibility for the Huskers to have a shot at postseason play. However, many things have to go right for the program. After several close losses and overall heartbreak, Nebraska fans actually need to see it to believe it.

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Rhule supported Tony White becoming UCLA head coach

Head coach Matt Rhule recently put in a kind word regarding defensive coordinator Tony White’s bid to take over at UCLA.

Head coach Matt Rhule recently put in a kind word regarding defensive coordinator Tony White’s bid to take over at UCLA. Rhule told the Husker Radio Network earlier in the week that he knows it’s only a matter of time before White gets the opportunity to lead a program.

“I thought Tony would have been an excellent, excellent choice. I don’t want to lose Tony White at all. I love Tony. I want him to go coach here forever, but there will come a time when he is going to have an opportunity to be a head coach and he deserves that. I think we have great young coaches in that room who are ready to be coordinators.”

White was considered a top candidate after Bruins head coach Chip Kelly departed the program to accept the offensive coordinator position with Ohio State. Last season under White, the team finished 11th nationally in total defense, their best finish since 2010.

During the offseason, he also received head coaching interest from San Diego State and a look from USC in what would have been a lateral move to defensive coordinator.

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UCLA coaching search: Candidates narrow following Chip Kelly’s exit

The UCLA coaching search appears to be narrowing down a bit.

The UCLA Bruins football program has endured a rough weekend. On Friday, Chip Kelly left Westwood to become the new OC at Ohio State.

A flurry of names circulated over the weekend, and those such as P.J. Fleck, and Brent Brennan are essentially out of the race.

Names such as Tony White and DeShaun Foster have been popular ones for UCLA fans, and Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times gave his latest intel on the situation (subscription required):

Among those UCLA is believed to have had contact with who remain possible candidates are Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White, Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach DeShaun Foster and Stanford coach Troy Taylor.

Bolch also mentions Chris Horton, whom Maurice Jones-Drew advocated for, and Cleveland Browns assistant Tommy Rees.

It’s a wide net for Martin Jarmond, and he revealed it would be done hopefully within 96 hours, so the clock is ticking to get a new head coach in place.

Foster and White are fan favorites, so either would be a good hire for the fan base and the players. Taylor is a bit of an interesting inclusion, but his success at Sacramento State is at least worth a phone call.

Either way, there should be some final decision coming soon.

UCLA coaching search: Nebraska DC Tony White makes a lot of sense

Nebraska DC Tony White is a name to watch for the UCLA HC job.

The UCLA Bruins football program has a very important decision to make regarding the next head coach hire.

After Chip Kelly questionably left UCLA to go to Ohio State, the Bruins have no choice but to hit a home run with this hire. Nebraska DC Tony White, a UCLA alma mater, is certainly an appealing name for the fan base.

White is an up-and-coming coordinator who is bound to get a head coaching job soon, and there is some traction of him leaving Omaha to go to Westwood.

If Martin Jarmon wants to do right by the fan base, White is certainly a name to call.

Social media reacts to rumors of defensive coordinator Tony White to UCLA

Could Nebraska’s defensive coordinator be headed west?

The fallout continues following Friday’s news that UCLA head coach Chip Kelly would be stepping down to accept the offensive coordinator position at Ohio State. Bruin’s AD Martin Jarmond has confirmed that a national search will be conducted, and a new head coach is expected to be named by early next week.

“It is imperative that we support our student-athletes and put them in the best position to succeed. UCLA is a special place, and we are confident we will find a leader for our football program who develops young men on and off the field and embodies our True Bruin Values.”

One name that has already become popular on social media is Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White. In his first season in Lincoln, the Nebraska defense had one of their best seasons in years.

Under White, the team finished 14th nationally in total defense, their best finish since 2010. The Huskers also held opponents to 14 points or fewer in eight games last season and placed 17th in scoring defense at 18.3 points per game.

He also recently renegotiated his contract, which increased his salary from $1 million to $1.6 million. During the offseason, he received head coaching interest from San Diego State and even received a look from USC in what would have been a lateral move to defensive coordinator.

White has connections to the UCLA football program as he played for the Bruins from 1997 to 2000, where he was a three-year starter. He also started as a coach at his alma mater, UCLA, as a grad assistant.

Find social media reactions to the rumors of Tony White to UCLA below.

USC defensive coordinator search was a wild ride — and similar to 2021 head coaching search

There are real parallels between 2021 and 2023 at USC.

The USC head coaching search of 2021, if you remember it, was a wild ride. Roughly 48 hours before Lincoln Riley was announced as the Trojans’ new head coach, the industry speculation centered around Iowa State’s Matt Campbell as the guy who was closing in on becoming USC’s head coach. That turned out to be a smokescreen, as did the rumors that Lincoln Riley might be interested in the LSU job.

This year, Jen Cohen referred to Saturday’s conference championship games as a possible factor in USC’s defensive coordinator search. That comment turned out to be a smokescreen, since USC hired its man — D’Anton Lynn of UCLA — on Friday night, before Saturday’s college football games.

If Matt Campbell was the hot name late in the 2021 head coaching search, 2023 featured Nebraska’s Tony White as the hot name late in the process.

Campbell and White were smokescreens for the moves USC eventually made.

Let’s remember the Tony White speculation as one of the central markers of a wild USC defensive coordinator search in 2023:

Nebraska defensive coordinator receives pay raise

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have announced a restructured contract with associate head coach/defensive coordinator Tony White.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have announced a restructured contract with associate head coach/defensive coordinator Tony White. White’s annual salary has been increased from $1 million annually to $1.6 million per year for the two years remaining on his contract.

The Cornhusker defense had one of its best seasons in years under White. The defense was the fourth-most improved in total defense in the country and the third-most approved against the run.

Nebraska ranked 14th nationally in total defense, the team’s first top-25 ranking since 2010. The run game allowed only 92.9 yards a game, the best a Husker team has performed since 1999.

Head coach Matt Rhule told the press he’s excited to return to work with White for the future.

“Tony White has all the attributes you look for in a coordinator or assistant coach. He builds great relationships with his players and fellow coaches and is an elite teacher and communicator. We made great strides on defense this past season, and I look forward to continuing to work with Tony as we move forward and build this program.”

White was also a semifinalist for the Broyles Award this season. That honor is given to the top assistant coach in college football each season. You can find social media reactions to the news below.