Florida State hires Tony White from Nebraska as defensive coordinator, AP source says
Florida State hired Tony White as defensive coordinator Monday, poaching him from Nebraska after the Cornhuskers posted top-20 defenses in consecutive years, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the Seminoles nor the Huskers confirmed the decision for White, who is pending a state background check. ESPN reported that White signed a three-year contract.
White replaces Adam Fuller, who was fired last month following a 52-3 loss at Notre Dame.
FSU coach Mike Norvell is moving quickly to fill vacancies in hopes of salvaging a recruiting class that has collapsed in recent weeks. National Signing Day is Wednesday, with the transfer portal opening next week.
Norvell officially announced former Arkansas State, Auburn and Central Florida coach Gus Malzahn as his next offensive coordinator.
Malzahn spent the last four seasons at UCF, where his team ranked in the top 10 in rushing and top 20 in total offense each of the last three years. He resigned Saturday after a second consecutive losing campaign in Orlando.
“He has one of the most innovative minds in college football and has a proven track record of developing elite offenses wherever he has been,” Norvell said in a statement. “His offenses always showed a tremendous running game combined with explosive plays through the air. I’m excited to work side-by-side with Gus again as we elevate Florida State’s offense to one of the best one of the elite groups in college football.”
Malzahn finished with a 28-24 mark at UCF. He coached at Auburn for eight seasons before being fired in 2020.
Malzahn replaces offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Alex Atkins, who was also fired after the loss at Notre Dame. The Seminoles (2-10) rank 132nd in total offense and 131st in scoring offense (both out of 134 teams). They averaged 15.4 points per game, a considerable drop for a program that finished last season with a 13-1 record and won the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“I’m excited to be here at Florida State and help us win championships,” Malzahn said in a statement. “It’s exciting to work with Coach Norvell, who is someone I believe in as a coach and leader.”
While Malzahn is stepping down as head coach, White seems on track to become one one day.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule hired White away from Syracuse two years ago, and his work during his short time with the Huskers put him in the running for head coaching jobs with the Orange, San Diego State and UCLA. He also interviewed for the defensive coordinator position at Southern California, earning him a $1.6 million raise at Nebraska this year.
White, 45, brought a 3-3-5 base defense to Nebraska and went from 100th in total defense in 2022 to 11th last season, and his points per game average fell from 27.6 to 18, 3. Although Nebraska finished that regular season 6-6, the Huskers continued to have a top-20 defense and thrived with defensive end Ty Robinson and linebackers Isaac Gifford and John Butler.
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AP Sports Writer Eric Olson contributed to this report.
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