FSU football: Fans react to Tony White leaving Nebraska to become DC at FSU

FSU football head coach Mike Norvell has been in the market to hire a new defensive coordinator since firing Adam Fuller three weeks ago. Fuller's defense was elite in 2023 and received no help from an anemic offense early in 2024 before defensive players eventually began to go through the motions.

FSU's identity historically has been fast and physical defenses, but it's been anything but that this year. They have been mediocre against the run and have not had much pass rush all season.

It looks like Nebraska's Tony White will be the new hire according to reports. Ironically, White has experience in the ACC at Syracuse before leaving to go to Nebraska for the past two seasons. He'll bring a 3-3-5 defense that's been top 20 the past two years, according to FEI advanced metrics. It's a defense Mike Norvell saw up close and personal when FSU played against and outmatched and injured Syracuse.

Fan Reaction

His defense held Deion Sanders and Colorado to 10 points in a 28-10 win for the Cornhuskers earlier this season. White is only 45 years old and would be an upgrade over Adam Fuller as a recruiter, and he has more proven experience than Fuller before taking the FSU job.

FSU moving to a 3-3-5 could prove helpful early because they lack depth at defensive tackle and defensive end positions. However, they are stacked in the secondary, with excellent defensive back classes over the past two years. The move could also help attract more quality linebackers to the roster. We'll have more on the move. Stay tuned to Chopchat.