Report: Florida State fires defensive coordinator Tony White

TALLAHASSEE, FL - DECEMBER 11: Newly hired Defensive Coordinator Tony White of the Florida State Seminoles answers questions from the media during a press conference at the Moore Athletic Center on the campus of Florida State University on December 11, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida. White comes to Fl

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What is the story about?

Accountability has come for the Florida State coaching staff, though perhaps not the name many Seminole fans have been hoping for.

Defensive coordinator Tony White has been relieved of his duties after less than two seasons in Tallahassee, as first reported by Pete Nakos.

White was brought in prior to the 2025 season as part of a major assistant

coaching staff overhaul following the Seminoles’ dreadful 2024 campaign. He’d spent the previous two seasons at Nebraska after serving three years as Syracuse’s DC.

FSU finished 28th nationally in total defense in 2025, a major rebound after finishing a paltry 86th in 2024. A hallmark in his career is the trend of White’s defenses taking major steps forward in Year 2 of the scheme, but that hasn’t happened in 2026.

White’s defense has given up over 537 yards in four games this season — 537 to Louisville, 567 to Alabama, 583 to Miami, and 585 to SMU. Its PFF national ranking in total defense after eight games? 128th.

Yes, you read that right. There are only 10 teams ranked lower in total defense than the Florida State Seminoles.

It remains to be seen if this move will help FSU’s on-field performance, but it represents another step toward the complete overhaul the football program needs.

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