Syracuse football has hired a new defensive coordinator in Tony White. Here’s why he is considered one of the top recruiters in college football.
After months of speculation Syracuse football finally has a new defensive coordinator. In an official press release from Arizona State, the University announced on Tuesday evening that Tony White was leaving the school to assume the same position with Syracuse.
Prior to accepting the DC role with the Orange, Tony spent two seasons with Arizona State and was ready to be the defensive coordinator for Herm Edwards (a promotion he accepted back in December) before changing his mind this week.
Dino Babers tried to lure Tony to Syracuse in December but pivoted to Zach Arnett. Once Arnett skipped out of the job 11 days in, Babers quickly went back to White a second time.
After laying the groundwork in their meetings back in December “it didn’t take long for an agreement to be finalized” between the two parties this week per Michelle Gardner of AZ Central.
There are conflicting reports on Tony White’s new contract with the Orange but here are some of the things we’re hearing:
Family and significant salary increase played into Tony White’s decision to go to Syracuse. Babers made a run at him once, didn’t get him. When Zach Arnett left for Miss St, Babers bumped salary offer and ended up getting White 2nd time around.
— Matt Barrie (@MattBarrie) February 5, 2020
New Syracuse DC Tony White is getting the same two-year deal for the same money as what he had at ASU
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 5, 2020
Tony White explained to Michelle Gardner why he chose the Syracuse job via AZ Central:
"“I look at it as a program in the same place ASU was in here when I came in. It’s very much the same trajectory. It’s really about ready to take off and it will be fun to be part of that. I’m also excited about coming back and being able to coach in the east for the first time.”"
Dino and Tony also have a prior working relationship. Tony White and Dino Babers worked together at UCLA back in 2007. Tony was a graduate assistant and Dino Babers was the running back coach.
One of the main reasons Orange fans should be excited about this hire is because Tony White has quite an impressive resume as a recruiter:
"“White was twice named the Scout.com Mountain West Recruiter of the Year also being recognized as one of the Top-5 recruiters in the nation among all Non-Power-5 programs,” per his Arizona State online bio."
Tony has ties to the west coast and specifically the Los Angeles area which is a national hotbed overflowing with talent.
When you pair that with Syracuse’s new offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Sterlin Gilbert, you have a dynamic duo with outstanding track records on the recruiting circuit.