Tony White gone?
- Thread starter valiantsailor
- Start date
Yeah but college players who goto the NFL have to play in GB, Cincy, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philly, NY, NE, Buffalo. All currently have open air stadiums. However I've heard Cleveland may change that. Chicago is definitely changing that. Northern college teams may have to start going to domes as more NFL teams do. In a dome weather isn't an issue inside the dome.
Our former Husker DL coach highlights the 80 degree weather in Tallahassee, FL in a tweet he sends out on Feb. 12, 2025 at 8:49 AM while Lincoln, NE is experiencing single-digit temps and it's first snow storm of the winter.
Sorry, ramelbm. I don't think that's a coincidence.
He was never all N, and neither was TDub. Rhule has made upgrades at both positions. No interest in these "Florida Soft" guys.
I liked both Knighton and White. But it sure looks like both of them got too big for their britches last year.
Knighton became pissed last summer when it became apparent he wasn't going to replace White as our next DC. And Tony White seemed to forget how well his head coach treated him the previous offseason. Like Knighton, White got his panties in a wad after the UCLA loss when his boss brought in .... defensive guru, Phil Snow as a consultant. OMIGOD, HOW DARE HE???!?!?
Coaching at the D1 College and NFL level is a high-octane, ego-filled business so this shouldn't come as any big surprise. But, IMO, Matt Rhule deserved better treatment from both of these men. That said, Coach Rhule didn't sweat it. I agree with Hunchie, their replacements are upgrades.
Knighton has a long history with Rhule (unlike TW). I am sure him leaving was a bigger blow personally to Rhule than TW (although I am sure all coaches understand the business). I agree I think Knighton was probably disappointed he was not considered for the DC role. Location is a factor as well, not everyone is cut out for the Nebraska winters so sunny Florida holds a certain appeal to those people. Also I think in some "circles" they hold FSU in a little higher regard than Nebraska and consider them to have more "swagger" and that may be the appeal. Also I believe that TK is single, his Nebraska bio never mentioned any kind of wife or kids so maybe he feels the recruiting pool for a wife/significant other in FL is better than Nebraska? Regardless I think Rhule made a homerun hire getting a DL coach with a multi championship resume.
Knighton played his college at Temple when Rhule was an assistant coach. He was taken in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and would play for Jacksonville, Denver, Washington, and New England over the course of his NFL career. Knighton joined Rhule's coaching staff before the 2021 season.
Knighton played his college at Temple when Rhule was an assistant coach. He was taken in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and would play for Jacksonville, Denver, Washington, and New England over the course of his NFL career. Knighton joined Rhule's coaching staff before the 2021 season.
It isn’t a coincidence at all. He isn’t thinking about Nebraska for one second, and he’s enjoying the warm weather.
Going into the 2025 I feel very good about our coordinators. OC, STC, and DC.
No question we upgraded at OC and STC. White is a high level DC - we don't KNOW that Butler is ......but I don't expect a big drop off on the coaching side of the defense. Losing 9 and 0.....harder to overcome and probably will be where the D takes a step back. Hopefully a small step.
No question we upgraded at OC and STC. White is a high level DC - we don't KNOW that Butler is ......but I don't expect a big drop off on the coaching side of the defense. Losing 9 and 0.....harder to overcome and probably will be where the D takes a step back. Hopefully a small step.
If Butler had been available when Rhule was hired, you could make the argument Coach would have tabbed him instead of Tony White at Syracuse. White came highly recommended so I'm not belittling Tony, but, if available, Butler's resume was the stronger of the two. It was a testament to Rhule's salesmanship that he got Butler to commit last summer as a secondary coach and DC-in-waiting.
Ironically, at this point in their respective careers, I would argue Butler is a strong DC while his replacement, Addison Williams, comes in as a very dynamic and charismatic secondary coach. Keep in mind HE was the DC at UCF last season. Add to the mix, Terry Bradden as our new DL coach from the KC Chiefs and Phil Snow the long-time defensive guru as our new Associate Head Coach, and you've got -- in my humble opinion -- the strongest team of defensive coaches since Charlie McBride hung up his headphones.
Yeah, we're going to be replacing our big boys up-front. But I see our secondary--and especially our linebacking crew--taking big steps forward.
Yeah, I think HCMRh has made some great changes to our Defensive Coaches. It bodes well for our future.
Knighton was shrewd. He added to his coaching resume while here at Nebraska as Ty and Nash made him look great statistically. Next year was looking like it might be a step back. Instead, he goes to FSU, where the team had only 2 wins last year. They have nowhere to go but up which will add to Potroast's resume as a builder of defenses. Whether or not he's a great coach may be debatable, but on paper he looks like a capable rebuilder. Shrewd.
If the Dline regresses at all, he will look even better.
If the Dline regresses at all, he will look even better.
