Nebraska announces restructured contract for DC Tony White
Nebraska announced on Friday that they have restructured the contract of defensive coordinator Tony White. The new deal will make White the highest-paid assistant coach in NU school history and the third-highest-paid assistant coach in the Big Ten.
White is set to make $1.6 million in 2024. He was paid $1 million this past season. The contract will pay White $1.6 million in both 2024 and 2025. He originally signed a three-year agreement last December, and the initial term remains unchanged.
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According to the USA Today assistant coach salary data, only Ohio State’s Jim Knowles ($1.957 million) and Brian Hartline ($1.6 million) made as much or more than White in the Big Ten. Clemson’s Garrett Riley ($2.05 million) is the highest-paid assistant coach in college football.
“Tony White has all the attributes you look for in a coordinator or assistant coach,” Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said in a statement. “He builds great relationships with his players and fellow coaches and is an elite teacher and communicator. We made great strides on defense this past season, and I look forward to continuing to work with Tony as we move forward and build this program.”
Other schools took notice of White’s work at Nebraska
White’s name came up for more than a handful of openings this off-season. White reportedly interviewed at San Diego State for their head coaching job and was on the radar at Syracuse for their job as well.
White coached at SDSU (2009-17) and Syracuse (2020-22) over his 20+ year career, making him a logical candidate for both schools.
Recently this week, White’s name was speculated as a candidate at USC for Lincoln Riley’s defensive coordinator opening.
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Nebraska allowed 303.5 yards per game in 2023, the best total defense average at Nebraska since 2009. Nebraska ranks 14th nationally in total defense, the program’s first top-25 defensive ranking since 2010.
The Blackshirts rank eighth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 92.9 yards per game, which is Nebraska’s best run defense since 1999. Nebraska held eight of 12 opponents to less than 100 rushing yards in 2023.
Husker opponents were held to 14 or fewer points in eight games in 2023, and Nebraska ranks 17th nationally in scoring defense at 18.3 points per game. That is the program’s best scoring defense average since 2010.
“I am proud of what our players accomplished this year and am excited to build on that success moving forward,” White said in a statement. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to coach at Nebraska, and to work for a great leader in Coach Rhule, and I feel honored to work alongside our defensive staff every day. Go Big Red!”
