Report: Florida State to hire Nebraska's Tony White as next defensive coordinator

Florida State is poised to hire current Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White as their next defensive coordinator, sources have told Gene Williams and Jeff Cameron of Warchant.

The Seminoles have been in the market for a new defensive coach after Adam Fuller was dismissed last month, before he was able to finish his fifth season as the Florida State defensive coordinator. With the expected hiring of White, Mike Norvell is landing a premier, lauded coach for the position.

“Florida State is poised to add another big name to its 2025 coaching staff, as the Seminoles are expected to announce Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive coordinator Tony White as its next coordinator,” Williams reported. “Under White’s direction, Nebraska’s defense currently ranks in the top 20 nationally for scoring defense (19.8 points per game) and total defense (315.4 yards per game).

“The veteran assistant coach, who has been nominated for the Broyles Award each of the past two seasons, has held the titles of defensive coordinator and associate head coach during two seasons with the Cornhuskers. Before that, he was defensive coordinator at Syracuse for two years, and he has coached cornerbacks and linebackers in the past, along with being a recruiting coordinator.”

During his short stint with the Cornhuskers, White endeared himself to Lincoln and the rest of the Big Ten, as he did during his time with Syracuse and the ACC. Some theorized he could be up for a head coaching gig, but he’ll take his talents to Tallahassee to help Norvell and the Seminoles rebound in 2025.

Florida State’s downfall has been well publicized, after an undefeated season last year where they were left out of the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off from the get-go in 2024, but the coaching staff is determined to get back to what made them successful last season.

Time will tell if Tony White is the key to their resurgence, but it’s certainly a good start for Mike Norvell and company, as the Seminoles enter a pivotal offseason.