Sources: Huskers employing Syracuse’s White as DC
4:24 PM ET Pete ThamelESPN Nebraska is working with Syracuse protective organizer Tony White as the school’s brand-new protective organizer, sources informed ESPN.White has accepted a three-year contract, according to sources, and picked the Huskers over several deals in this cycle.White supervise back-to-back top-30 defenses at Syracuse and assisted lead the Orange to bowl eligibility this year, his 3rd with the program. White brought a 3-3-5
defense to Syracuse, which he gained from the Rocky Long tree from his time at New Mexico, San Diego State and Arizona State.
1 Related
The 3-3-5 defense interested brand-new Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, as he used a similar plan at Baylor when he helped rebuild that program. Rhule has some familiarity with White, as Rhule coached protective line at UCLA while White was a linebacker there in 2001.
White was recruited to UCLA by Long, the contemporary godfather of that defense.In 3 seasons
at Syracuse, White helped flip the identity of the program from an up-tempo program to one that could win by shutting down the opposition. The year prior to White’s arrival, Syracuse completed No. 115 nationally in total defense. 2 years later, it finished No. 19 in the nation in 2021. That was followed by finishing No.
29 this year. Syracuse began this season 6-0, with White’s defense carrying the Orange to the hot start and rankings as high as No. 14. Syracuse held Louisville to seven points in the opener and held No. 15 NC State to 9 points in an Orange triumph later in the year.White’s defenses are known to be unforeseeable and aggressive, as they completed second in the ACC in 2021 by yielding 330 lawns per game. White’s greatest effect at Syracuse wasn’t just the scheme modification, as he also upgraded the skill and tailored it to the scheme. He’s a two-time Mountain West Employer of the Year, and his capability to recognize and recruit top skill was of particular interest to Nebraska.The Cornhuskers completed No. 100 in total defense in 2022.