Brad White named top defensive coordinator in SEC

Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White is entering year five with the program with his fourth as the defensive play-caller. Since his arrival, the Wildcats have produced consistent results on that side of the football. People are starting to pay attention to what is happening in Lexington.

Brandon Marcello of 247 Sports teamed up with Matrix Analytical Solutions to put together All-SEC coaching staffs with media days quickly approaching. Using a Coach Rating Index, Marcello has listed the top head coach, coordinators, and position coaches in SEC. The top defensive coordinator resides in Lexington.

“Brad White has coached top-40 defenses in all four seasons as Kentucky’s defensive coordinator, including a No. 11 finish nationally last season, one of the best marks in school history,” writes Marcello. “White took over play-calling duties from head coach Mark Stoops in 2019.”

The Coach Rating Index gives White a high four-star grade (82.33) pointing out that the play-caller had a defense that finished No. 7 in pass defense in 2022 and No. 4 in fourth down defense in 2021. Some other power ratings back this up.

ESPN’s SP+ rating credit White with being the defensive coordinator of four top-40 defenses. As a position coach, the Wake Forest alum played a big role in Josh Allen‘s National Defensive Player of the Year campaign. In 2022, Kentucky recorded its best finish of the Stoops era finishing No. 4 overall in SP+. Early predictions are calling for Kentucky to be a top-five defense again in 2023.

Joining White on the first team were Nick Saban (head coach) and Josh Heupel (offensive coordinator). That is some strong company. No other Kentucky coaches were listed on the first or second team.

With five of the top nine tacklers returning from last year’s team, expectations are still high for Kentucky’s defense after allowing 20 points per game or less in four of the five seasons with White on staff.