Brad White's stock continues to rise ahead of year 5 as Kentucky football DC

Brad White is one of college football’s most brilliant defensive minds — that’s not a hot take.

Ever since he took over for Matt House as defensive coordinator at Kentucky in 2019, the Wildcats have consistently produced one of the country’s top-ranked defenses. In three of his four years as DC, White’s defense has been among the top 30 best units in the nation. The ‘Cats finished 11th in 2022 in points allowed per game at 19.2. White was recognized earlier this summer as the top defensive coordinator in the SEC.

Paired with offensive coordinator Liam Coen, White gives head coach Mark Stoops one of the more dangerous coordinator combinations in all of college football. As White enters his fifth season as Kentucky’s DC (and sixth overall as an assistant on Stoops’ staff), expectations are as high as ever for the Wildcats’ defense. But not many will be shocked if they manage to exceed them.

All of this helps explain why White is so well-respected across the country. He’s even garnering attention from the national media. Friend of the program, On3’s Matt Zenitz, tabbed White as one of the 12 coordinators to know from non-top 15 ranked programs heading into the 2023 season. Zenitz polled sources from all over the coaching world to create his list. Here’s what he had to say about Coach White.

Brad White, Kentucky DC

Only one SEC team, Georgia, allowed fewer yards per game last year than White’s defense at Kentucky. It was the fifth straight season of the Wildcats finishing no worse than fourth in the SEC in total defense under White.

Last year’s unit was especially good, though. Kentucky finished in the top-25 nationally in categories such as pass defense (seventh), scoring defense (11th), total defense (12th) and third-down defense (21st). Before Kentucky, White was an outside linebackers coach in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.

Matt Zenitz, On3

Everyone already knows the coordinators from the top-ranked teams, so here’s something a little different.

Here are 12 stock up coordinators you need to know from teams not ranked in the top-15.

(Doesn’t include coaches entering Year 1 at a new school.)https://t.co/CprLWpPkfG pic.twitter.com/jb9PPJtM00

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) August 24, 2023

White has helped develop several NFL players during his time in Lexington, including the likes of Josh Allen and Josh Paschal, among several others. He has another budding star on his defense with 6-foot-6, 350-pound lineman Deone Walker, who was tabbed to the Preseason All-SEC Team earlier this week. Senior EDGE JJ Weaver also made the Preseason All-SEC Team for the ‘Cats.

Back in the spring, White signed an extension with Kentucky that will keep him under contract through June 2026. He’ll be paid quite handsomely for his services too, earning $1.7 million in the 2025 season. Success comes with a price, and to UK’s credit, they’ve been willing to pony up to keep Stoops’ staff together. Just don’t be shocked if White is in the conversation for a head coaching job in the very near future — especially if Kentucky’s defense once again lives up to the hype.