Nebraska Cornhuskers Restructure Defensive Coordinator Tony White’s Contract in $1.6 Million Deal After Best Husker Defense in Big Ten Era

The Nebraska Cornhuskers managed to retain well-respected defensive coordinator Tony White, who is coming off of Nebraska’s best defensive season in the Big Ten era, after restructuring his contract in a $1.6 million deal Friday. White’s salary has been increased to that $1.6 million for each of the two years he has left on his contract. White has been nominated for the Broyles award, which is given to the top assistant coach in the nation, in his first year with the Cornhuskers just as he was in his last year with the Syracuse Orange.

White’s undeniable improvement of Nebraska’s defense. made him a top candidate for teams like the San Diego State Aztecs and the Syracuse Orange. White was a part of the Aztecs’ staff from 2009-2017, and he also spent two years as the defensive coordinator for Syracuse.

This year’s Cornhusker defense improved significantly after White’s arrival. Nebraska was first in overall improved defense in the Power five from 2022-2023. The Huskers went from being a bottom 15 overall defense to a top 15 overall defense as well as going from a bottom 10 rush defense to a top 10 rush defense.

When White was first hired, many were concerned that his 3-3-5 defense would not be enough to stop the notoriously run-heavy Big Ten offenses that he would have to face. Despite the widespread concern, an Athletic article from before the season details how White planned to stick to his guns. The confidence he had in his own system clearly payed off as Nebraska was eighth in the country in overall rush defense, allowing just 92.9 yards per game.