Tony White was once the kind of coordinator plenty of programs wanted to talk themselves into as a future head coach. Now, the conversation around him has flipped fast at Florida State, where his defensive coordinator job is suddenly under real heat.
That shift matters for Nebraska fans, too. White’s departure after two seasons in Lincoln felt like a meaningful loss at the time, especially because his defenses had been tougher than what the Huskers had been getting in recent years. But with Florida State stumbling through a rough stretch, the move doesn’t look nearly as painful from Nebraska’s side anymore.
The latest blow came Monday night against SMU. One play in particular made the rounds online, with defensive lineman Mandrell Desir walking up to the Mustangs’ offensive line and making a strange pre-snap motion that looked like he was dribbling a basketball through his legs. However odd that looked, the real problem came after the ball was snapped: Desir charged in and got pancaked by the guard across from him, and SMU ripped off a 30-yard gain.
Please watch #3 for FSU right before the defense gives up a 30 yard gain on 3rd & 10 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/6vKtVqRr7A
- Chris Marler (@Vern_Funquist) September 8, 2026
The clip was embarrassing, but it also fit the broader picture of White’s defense since he left Nebraska. In 2025, Florida State had a roster that was supposed to be loaded, yet the defense landed in the middle of the pack in points allowed and rushing defense, even if it was strong against the pass. The start of 2026 has gone downhill from there.
Florida State opened Week 0 by allowing 17 points and 262 passing yards to New Mexico State, including touchdown throws of 33 and 34 yards. Then came the SMU loss, where White’s defense gave up 585 yards of total offense in a 27-24 defeat.
Kevin Jennings threw for 430 yards for the Mustangs, and SMU also added 155 yards on the ground. Florida State did force four turnovers, but the performance still felt more like SMU beating itself than White’s defense making a statement.
not one DB is in the frame at the first down line when the ball comes out of his hand. lmfao https://t.co/prYNeuWjim pic.twitter.com/EJjhud9fpo
- POP POP STL (@VWEBBJR) September 8, 2026
For Nebraska, that’s a very different backdrop than the one that existed when White left. Back then, his exit looked like a serious setback. Now, with Florida State struggling and new defensive coordinator Rob Aurich in place, the Huskers are hoping Aurich can not only match what White did in Lincoln, but improve on it.
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Kirby Smart has said a full recovery is expected, but the timetable for Dowdells return to football remains unclear. For Nebraska fans who watched him flash as part of the backfield and then move on, the latest update is less about where hell fit in on the field and more about the difficult reality of a serious injury still being worked through, step by step. [Read more 🡒]