Tony White, the respected defensive coordinator for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, was able to stay with the team following his most successful defensive season in Big Ten history thanks to a $1.6 million contract restructuring that was finalized on Friday. For the final two years of his contract, White will now receive a salary increase of $1.6 million each. In both his first year with the Cornhuskers and his final year with the Syracuse Orange, White has been nominated for the Broyles award, which is given to the best assistant coach in the country.
White was a top choice for teams like the Syracuse Orange and San Diego State Aztecs due to his indisputable improvement of Nebraska’s defense. In addition to working with the Aztecs from 2009 to 2017, White also served as Syracuse’s defensive coordinator for two years.
With White’s arrival, the Cornhusker defense this year improved dramatically. In the Power five from 2022–2023, Nebraska ranked first in terms of overall improved defense. The Huskers’ defense improved from being in the bottom 15 to the top 15 overall and from being in the bottom 10 to the top 10 in terms of rush defense.
Many were worried when White was first hired that the renowned run-heavy Big Ten offenses he would face would be too strong for his 3-3-5 defense to stop. An article published before the season in the Athletic explains how White intended to stick to his principles in spite of the general concern. With just 92.9 yards allowed per game, Nebraska’s rush defense ranked eighth in the nation, demonstrating the clear benefit of his faith in his own scheme.
One of White’s main points in the article was that he wanted his defense to play free and quick. In order for the defense to play without fear, White wanted them to feel secure in who they were. In just one offseason, White’s efforts helped the defense rise to the top of the country.
Excellent individual line play is one component of a 3-3-5 that is required for success in a conference like the Big Ten. Both Ty Robinson and Nash “polar bear” Hutmacher were able to provide that to White. This season, the Huskers defense has greatly improved for both of these linemen. Robinson has chosen to return to the Cornhuskers rather than try his luck in the NFL draft because he recognizes the extent to which White has helped him develop as a player.
29 tackles, six pass breakups, and four tackles for loss were career highs for All-Big Ten honorable mention Robinson during his career year. With 11 quarterback hurries during the season, Robinson also led the Huskers’ defense in this regard.
This season, Hutmacher recorded three more career highs: forty tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four and a half sacks. Hutmacher, Robinson, and another All-Big Ten honorable mention all wore single-digit numbers. The team votes to elect the “toughest” guys before the season starts, and head coach Matt Rhule’s idea of who they are is represented by the single-digit number, which is not easily found. With the return of both excellent defensive linemen, White and company should be a top.
