TEMPE – Sun Devil Football's Tony White has been named the program's next Defensive Coordinator, as announced by head coach Herm Edwards today. Additionally, recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach Antonio Pierce has been promoted to Associate Head Coach.
Tony White – Defensive Coordinator
White, who coached the program's defensive backs the previous two seasons, has helped lead the Sun Devil defense to exceptional improvements in his first couple years in Tempe.
The Sun Devil defense finished the regular season 39th in scoring defense, allowing just 23.1 points per game – notables as the Sun Devils had finished 99th or worse in three consecutive seasons prior to White's arrival in Tempe. ASU has held opponents to 30 points or less in 16 of 25 games in the previous two seasons after opponents scored at least 30 in 32 of 43 games previously.
The Sun Devils have given up just two plays over 50 yards this season, tied for the fifth-fewest nationally. ASU was also tied for 9th nationally in allowing just 3 plays of over 50 yards last year after sitting in the bottom 10 nationally in the previous four years. ASU's eight plays allowed over 40 yards this season are 14th nationally. In 2018, ASU was tied for 11th nationally in allowing just 8 plays over 40 yards, an area the Devils had struggled in in previous seasons (allowing 20, 16, 30, 21 in the previous four seasons and finishing 103rd, 79th, 128th, 110th, respectively).
In the last two seasons, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 13 total passing plays over 40 yards. For perspective, it had 12 alone in 2017, 22 in 2016 and 24 in 2015 – the latter two ranked second to last and last, respectively, in the nation.
The Sun Devils had 65 passes defended in 2019, the 12th-highest total in the nation and the most since posting 75 in 2012. Jack Jones, a Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention selection, was ninth nationally with 16 passes defended.
The 2019 season saw the emergence of Kobe Williams as a lockdown corner under White's guidance. Kobe Williams was the eighth-highest graded defender in the Pac-12, regardless of position with a score of 82.2 from Pro Football Focus. He is the 30th highest graded corner overall in the country and the 27th-highest graded corner in coverage specifically (82.3) following the regular season.
Williams was thrown at just 34 times this season - the 18th-lowest total among corners in the country. He was targeted just once every 9.1 snaps in coverage this season, 11th-lowest among the nation's corners. He allowed just 198 yards in coverage, the 16th-lowest total among the nation's corners while his 0.64 yards allowed per coverage snap was also 16th
He allowed just 18 receptions in the regular season, which was the fewest in the Pac-12 and 24th-fewest nationally. Williams' one reception allowed for every 17.1 snaps played in coverage was second in the Pac-12 and 27th nationally. Williams' 77.1 NFL passer rating when targeted this season is sixth in the Pac-12.
Williams was a Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention selection and was recognized by Pro Football Focus as a third-team selection. Sophomore Aashari Crosswell was tabbed a second team PFF choice at safety while redshirt freshman Cam Phillips earned an honorable mention nod at safety as well.
In his first season at ASU in 2018, White's secondary played a significant role in ASU's improvement on the defensive side of the ball in addition to the overall success of the entire unit. True freshman cornerback Aashari Crosswell earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention recognition for a season in which he led ASU in interceptions (four) and pass breakups (nine). Crosswell's 127 yards on interception returns represented the No. 7 mark in the nation and the most by a freshman. Playing opposite Crosswell, Chase Lucas finished second on the team with in interceptions (3.0), fourth in tackles (62) and tied for fourth in tackles for loss (6.0).
Prior to White's arrival, the Sun Devil passing defense finished 121st nationally in 2017, allowing 274.9 passing yards per game and was dead last in the nation in 2016 with 357.4 passing yards allowed per game. In his first season at ASU, White brought the Sun Devil secondary back into the Top-75, allowing 233.8 passing yards per game.
Prior to arriving at ASU, White established himself as one of the nation's top rising assistant coaches. While helping the San Diego State secondary continually rank as one of the elite groups in the nation, 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.
SDSU finished with a pass coverage grade ranked 31st or better three of the White's last four seasons with the program, according to Pro Football Focus. For more on White's accomplishments prior to arriving in Tempe, please see his full bio here.
Antonio Pierce – Associate Head Coach/Linebackers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
A former Pro Bowl linebacker in the NFL, Antonio Pierce has played a pivotal role in the improvement on defense in the last two seasons while helping the Sun Devils to new heights in the recruiting world.
Pierce linebackers were key in the Sun Devils staunch run defense in 2019. ASU ranked 21st nationally in allowing just 116.8 rushing yards per game – the best ranking at the end of the regular season for ASU since the 2009 Sun Devils were 19th (108.58 rushing yards per game). ASU has allowed 155 or fewer rushing yards in 11 of 12 games this season, the first time in program history to accomplish the feat since regular seasons expanded to 12 games in the late 1990s.
Under Pierce's guidance, Darien Butler was named the first true sophomore team captain in program history for the 2019 campaign.Butler would go on to be the seventh-highest graded linebacker in the Pac-12 on run defense, according to Pro Football Focus, while his 18 total quarterback pressures were tied for eighth among the league's linebacker.
Butler finished with 79 tackles on the season, leading the team in the category and adding five tackles for loss, leading the team with three forced fumbles and a sack and a fumble recovery.
Khaylan Kearse-Thomas enjoyed a breakout senior campaign under Pierce and was named the team's most Outstanding Linebacker as a result. Kearse-Thomas led the team in tackles for loss with 11 – the most among non-edge rushing linebackers in the Pac-12 – and finished with 57 total tackles.
The senior was a part of five sacks this season, tied for first among Pac-12 linebackers. Among all linebackers and edge defenders in the Pac-12, he has recorded the 16th-best positive run impact percentage at 13.6%. Pierce's linebacker unit had a big impact in ASU's defensive success in 2018. Starting true freshmen linebackers Merlin Robertson (77 tackles/first) and Darien Butler (70 tackles/tied for second) were the team's top two leaders in tackles.
Robertson also led the team in tackles for loss (8.5), and sacks (5.0) and intercepted one pass on his way to earning Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. He became the first freshman to lead the team in tackles since Jason Shivers in 2001 and the first freshman to lead the team in tackles for loss and sacks since Junior Onyeali in 2010.
Butler finished tied for second on the team in tackles for loss (8.0) and also added one sack and two forced fumbles. Tying with Butler for second in tackles for loss (8.0) was redshirt freshman linebacker Tyler Johnson, who assumed a starting role over the second half of the season, giving the Sun Devils three first-year starters at linebacker.
Following the 2018 season and with one full year under his belt, Pierce helped put together the nation's No. 28 signing class for 2019, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings – the fifth highest-graded class in the Pac-12. Despite being just weeks on the job in the year prior, Pierce helped rally the 2018 Signing Class to 36th nationally and kept the Sun Devils in the top-half of the Pac-12 recruiting rankings. The 2020 Signing Class, which is still in program, figures to feature more four-star signees than any class in Sun Devil Football history.
During his nine-year NFL career, Pierce played 137 regular season games (and seven playoff games) with the Washington Redskins (2001-04) and New York Giants (2005-09). Pierce captained the Giants' defense for five seasons, including 2007 when he helped anchor the championship team that upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots for a victory in Super Bowl XLII. He was also named to the Pro Bowl that season.
Signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2001, Pierce finished his career with 687 tackles, nine sacks and seven interceptions.
A native of Long Beach, Calif., Pierce played college football at the University of Arizona. As a senior, he had three sacks, 77 tackles (10 for losses), two forced fumbles, one interception, and one blocked kick for the Wildcats. Prior to Arizona, Pierce attended Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Pierce was the spokesperson for the Giants Academy inner city youth program in 2006, and he works with a number of not-for-profit organizations, including YMCA, DARE, Cystic Fibrosis, My Sisters Place, ASC Football Camp, City Meals on Wheels and Make a Wish Foundation. Pierce received the United Way's Man of the Year award in 2007 and was honored by Minority Athletes Networking Inc (M.A.N) as its 2008 'MAN of the Year,' for his excellence in the community. In 2011, Pierce was named to the California Community College Athletics Association's Hall of Fame.
In 2005, Pierce hosted his first annual free football camp for youth in his hometown of Compton, Calif., where it continued for seven years.
In 2006, Pierce started 'Antonio's A-List' at Giants Academy, the Giants charter academic program located in the Louise A. Spencer School in Newark, N.J. 'Antonio's A-List' is a motivational incentive program that rewarded Giants Academy Students that reached certain academic standards each semester and for the entire school year. Pierce visited the school, and accompanied the kids on service trips and preparing meals for the community.
During Antonio's NFL career he played for Marty Schottenheimer, Marvin Lewis, Steve Spurrier, George Edwards, Greg Williams, Joe Gibbs, Steve Spagnuolo and Tom Coughlin.
Tony White – Defensive Coordinator
White, who coached the program's defensive backs the previous two seasons, has helped lead the Sun Devil defense to exceptional improvements in his first couple years in Tempe.
The Sun Devil defense finished the regular season 39th in scoring defense, allowing just 23.1 points per game – notables as the Sun Devils had finished 99th or worse in three consecutive seasons prior to White's arrival in Tempe. ASU has held opponents to 30 points or less in 16 of 25 games in the previous two seasons after opponents scored at least 30 in 32 of 43 games previously.
The Sun Devils have given up just two plays over 50 yards this season, tied for the fifth-fewest nationally. ASU was also tied for 9th nationally in allowing just 3 plays of over 50 yards last year after sitting in the bottom 10 nationally in the previous four years. ASU's eight plays allowed over 40 yards this season are 14th nationally. In 2018, ASU was tied for 11th nationally in allowing just 8 plays over 40 yards, an area the Devils had struggled in in previous seasons (allowing 20, 16, 30, 21 in the previous four seasons and finishing 103rd, 79th, 128th, 110th, respectively).
In the last two seasons, the Sun Devil secondary has allowed just 13 total passing plays over 40 yards. For perspective, it had 12 alone in 2017, 22 in 2016 and 24 in 2015 – the latter two ranked second to last and last, respectively, in the nation.
The Sun Devils had 65 passes defended in 2019, the 12th-highest total in the nation and the most since posting 75 in 2012. Jack Jones, a Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention selection, was ninth nationally with 16 passes defended.
The 2019 season saw the emergence of Kobe Williams as a lockdown corner under White's guidance. Kobe Williams was the eighth-highest graded defender in the Pac-12, regardless of position with a score of 82.2 from Pro Football Focus. He is the 30th highest graded corner overall in the country and the 27th-highest graded corner in coverage specifically (82.3) following the regular season.
Williams was thrown at just 34 times this season - the 18th-lowest total among corners in the country. He was targeted just once every 9.1 snaps in coverage this season, 11th-lowest among the nation's corners. He allowed just 198 yards in coverage, the 16th-lowest total among the nation's corners while his 0.64 yards allowed per coverage snap was also 16th
He allowed just 18 receptions in the regular season, which was the fewest in the Pac-12 and 24th-fewest nationally. Williams' one reception allowed for every 17.1 snaps played in coverage was second in the Pac-12 and 27th nationally. Williams' 77.1 NFL passer rating when targeted this season is sixth in the Pac-12.
Williams was a Pac-12 All-Conference honorable mention selection and was recognized by Pro Football Focus as a third-team selection. Sophomore Aashari Crosswell was tabbed a second team PFF choice at safety while redshirt freshman Cam Phillips earned an honorable mention nod at safety as well.
In his first season at ASU in 2018, White's secondary played a significant role in ASU's improvement on the defensive side of the ball in addition to the overall success of the entire unit. True freshman cornerback Aashari Crosswell earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention recognition for a season in which he led ASU in interceptions (four) and pass breakups (nine). Crosswell's 127 yards on interception returns represented the No. 7 mark in the nation and the most by a freshman. Playing opposite Crosswell, Chase Lucas finished second on the team with in interceptions (3.0), fourth in tackles (62) and tied for fourth in tackles for loss (6.0).
Prior to White's arrival, the Sun Devil passing defense finished 121st nationally in 2017, allowing 274.9 passing yards per game and was dead last in the nation in 2016 with 357.4 passing yards allowed per game. In his first season at ASU, White brought the Sun Devil secondary back into the Top-75, allowing 233.8 passing yards per game.
Prior to arriving at ASU, White established himself as one of the nation's top rising assistant coaches. While helping the San Diego State secondary continually rank as one of the elite groups in the nation, 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.
SDSU finished with a pass coverage grade ranked 31st or better three of the White's last four seasons with the program, according to Pro Football Focus. For more on White's accomplishments prior to arriving in Tempe, please see his full bio here.
Antonio Pierce – Associate Head Coach/Linebackers Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
A former Pro Bowl linebacker in the NFL, Antonio Pierce has played a pivotal role in the improvement on defense in the last two seasons while helping the Sun Devils to new heights in the recruiting world.
Pierce linebackers were key in the Sun Devils staunch run defense in 2019. ASU ranked 21st nationally in allowing just 116.8 rushing yards per game – the best ranking at the end of the regular season for ASU since the 2009 Sun Devils were 19th (108.58 rushing yards per game). ASU has allowed 155 or fewer rushing yards in 11 of 12 games this season, the first time in program history to accomplish the feat since regular seasons expanded to 12 games in the late 1990s.
Under Pierce's guidance, Darien Butler was named the first true sophomore team captain in program history for the 2019 campaign.Butler would go on to be the seventh-highest graded linebacker in the Pac-12 on run defense, according to Pro Football Focus, while his 18 total quarterback pressures were tied for eighth among the league's linebacker.
Butler finished with 79 tackles on the season, leading the team in the category and adding five tackles for loss, leading the team with three forced fumbles and a sack and a fumble recovery.
Khaylan Kearse-Thomas enjoyed a breakout senior campaign under Pierce and was named the team's most Outstanding Linebacker as a result. Kearse-Thomas led the team in tackles for loss with 11 – the most among non-edge rushing linebackers in the Pac-12 – and finished with 57 total tackles.
The senior was a part of five sacks this season, tied for first among Pac-12 linebackers. Among all linebackers and edge defenders in the Pac-12, he has recorded the 16th-best positive run impact percentage at 13.6%. Pierce's linebacker unit had a big impact in ASU's defensive success in 2018. Starting true freshmen linebackers Merlin Robertson (77 tackles/first) and Darien Butler (70 tackles/tied for second) were the team's top two leaders in tackles.
Robertson also led the team in tackles for loss (8.5), and sacks (5.0) and intercepted one pass on his way to earning Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. He became the first freshman to lead the team in tackles since Jason Shivers in 2001 and the first freshman to lead the team in tackles for loss and sacks since Junior Onyeali in 2010.
Butler finished tied for second on the team in tackles for loss (8.0) and also added one sack and two forced fumbles. Tying with Butler for second in tackles for loss (8.0) was redshirt freshman linebacker Tyler Johnson, who assumed a starting role over the second half of the season, giving the Sun Devils three first-year starters at linebacker.
Following the 2018 season and with one full year under his belt, Pierce helped put together the nation's No. 28 signing class for 2019, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings – the fifth highest-graded class in the Pac-12. Despite being just weeks on the job in the year prior, Pierce helped rally the 2018 Signing Class to 36th nationally and kept the Sun Devils in the top-half of the Pac-12 recruiting rankings. The 2020 Signing Class, which is still in program, figures to feature more four-star signees than any class in Sun Devil Football history.
During his nine-year NFL career, Pierce played 137 regular season games (and seven playoff games) with the Washington Redskins (2001-04) and New York Giants (2005-09). Pierce captained the Giants' defense for five seasons, including 2007 when he helped anchor the championship team that upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots for a victory in Super Bowl XLII. He was also named to the Pro Bowl that season.
Signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2001, Pierce finished his career with 687 tackles, nine sacks and seven interceptions.
A native of Long Beach, Calif., Pierce played college football at the University of Arizona. As a senior, he had three sacks, 77 tackles (10 for losses), two forced fumbles, one interception, and one blocked kick for the Wildcats. Prior to Arizona, Pierce attended Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Pierce was the spokesperson for the Giants Academy inner city youth program in 2006, and he works with a number of not-for-profit organizations, including YMCA, DARE, Cystic Fibrosis, My Sisters Place, ASC Football Camp, City Meals on Wheels and Make a Wish Foundation. Pierce received the United Way's Man of the Year award in 2007 and was honored by Minority Athletes Networking Inc (M.A.N) as its 2008 'MAN of the Year,' for his excellence in the community. In 2011, Pierce was named to the California Community College Athletics Association's Hall of Fame.
In 2005, Pierce hosted his first annual free football camp for youth in his hometown of Compton, Calif., where it continued for seven years.
In 2006, Pierce started 'Antonio's A-List' at Giants Academy, the Giants charter academic program located in the Louise A. Spencer School in Newark, N.J. 'Antonio's A-List' is a motivational incentive program that rewarded Giants Academy Students that reached certain academic standards each semester and for the entire school year. Pierce visited the school, and accompanied the kids on service trips and preparing meals for the community.
During Antonio's NFL career he played for Marty Schottenheimer, Marvin Lewis, Steve Spurrier, George Edwards, Greg Williams, Joe Gibbs, Steve Spagnuolo and Tom Coughlin.