Damon Benning stated on ‘Benning’s Bites’ on Monday morning that being the highly competitive individual that Matt Rhule is, he would do whatever it takes to get it right. That he had tried a couple of things, and they didn’t work. So, he would be moving on to the next thing, and as a highly, highly competitive person, there would be bloodletting, a therapeutic moment when you get the old blood out.
Benning said all this before the news of Tony White was officially announced. Seems D.B. knew what was coming. I’m sure several people who are on the inside have known something was coming for a while now. Since I’m not on the inside, I’m just like hundreds of other Husker fans, I’m left to speculate.
The biggest question I’m hearing from fans is, “Why did White make a lateral move?” The talk all along was if he left it would be for a head coaching job. Taking the Florida State job forces Husker fans to think there is something wrong inside the program.
I said last week that I didn’t think Tony White would be going anywhere. I based it on the fact that he hadn’t done enough this season to enhance his resume. Let’s face it, while the defense has played well at times this season, overall, it’s been a disappointment.
In 12 games White’s defense gave up 19.8 points per game, allowed 105.8 rushing yards per game, 209.7 passing yards per game, for an average of 315.4 total yards per game. Ranking them 20th of (134) teams. On the season the Blackshirts had 27 sacks, 11 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries.
In the four losses to Illinois, Indiana, UCLA, and USC, White’s defense gave up an average of 35.5 points per game, 175.5 rushing for a 5.4-yard average, 22/29 passing for 243.3 yards per game, for an average of 419 total yards per game.
When the Blackshirts were good, they were very good, but when they were bad, they were very bad. And for that reason, Matt Rhule called in Phil Snow, the guy he wanted for defensive coordinator all along. Remember. Rhule had tweaked White’s defense adding a fourth pass rusher occasionally. I believe the kitchen got too crowded for White. Rhule is a defensive minded guy and had already added John Bulter to the staff who was an NFL guy and onetime defensive coordinator at Penn State. Between Rhule, Snow, and Butler looking over White’s shoulder, I’m sure it was an uncomfortable situation. I’ve also said in the past Tony White is no dummy. He could see the writing on the wall, Rhule, Snow and Butler weren’t 3-3-5 guys. Nebraska was going to eventually go away from the only defense White had ever known.
So, with no head coaching positions available, or ones that White was interested in, he made the lateral move to Florida State, possibly taking Terrance Knighton with him. Who knows, there may be a reunion of White, Knighton, Phil Simpson and perhaps even Evan Cooper at Florida State. The next question is, how many of the coaches that White brought with him to Nebraska will leave as well? He brought in Jack Potenza (Jack linebackers), Josh Bringuel (assistant linebackers), and Kevin McGarry (senior defensive analyst) from Syracuse.
Besides coaches, there have been players jumping in the portal. Roster guys from Florida are the ones to watch now. Phil Simpson, who is already at Florida State recruited most of these players when he was at Nebraska. Names to watch are Jacory Barney Jr, Vincent Shavers Jr., Amare Sanders, Larry Tarver Jr., Willis McGahee IV, and Dwight Bootle II.
I personally see the potential loss of players as a much more damaging situation than coaches leaving. Coaches can be replaced, and there are several names floating around already. As far as in-house hires for defensive coordinator, John Bulter is the leading candidate.
Another name that has been brought up is Elijah Robinson. Robinson is a Penn State alum and was a defensive line coach for Rhule at Temple and Baylor before going to Texas A&M where he was co-defensive coordinator and interim head coach. He is now the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Syracuse. If Knighton were to leave with White, a name to replace him that has been mentioned would be Frank Okum. Okum was a defensive line coach for Rhule at Baylor and Carolina. He is currently the defensive line coach at Toledo.
The shake up right now is on the defensive side of the ball, but don’t expect everything to sit still on the offensive side of the ball. Holgorsen has signed a two-year deal to return, and early word is Garret McGuire will not return as wide receivers coach. Rhule has his own connections but will also look to Holgorsen, Butler and Snow for potential coaching hires.
Nebraska may be headed to its first bowl in seven years, but when the 2025 season starts, there will be new blood.
Go to Off The Cob for more on Husker football and read, No More Mister Nice Guy
