Accountability has come for the Florida State coaching staff.
First came Mike Norvell. Defensive coordinator Tony White has also 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.