Sun Devil Football's Tony White has been named the program's next Defensive Coordinator, as announced by head coach Herm Edwards in December of 2019.
Tony White enters his second season as the cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator for Sun Devil Football.
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.
“Tony White is a proven recruiter at the national level and someone who has fielded an elite secondary just about every year during his tenure at San Diego State,” ASU head coach Herm Edwards said when he announced White’s hiring. “Tony’s area of expertise is the Los Angeles area and he will provide us a much-needed presence in that important area in addition to what we expect to be the continued development of our secondary.”
“I am humbled by the opportunity to be at a great institution like Arizona State,” White said. “Anytime you get a chance to be around great people and to be around the support like there is at ASU, it’s going to be an exciting opportunity. I look forward to working with Coach Edwards and his staff in order to bring a championship to Sun Devil Nation.”
San Diego State finished the 2017 season 11th nationally and first in the Mountain West in total defense in allowing just 314.5 yards per game and 15th in passing yards allowed (178.7).
San Diego State held 12 of its last 15 opponents to 375 yards or less of total offense. From Nov. 14, 2015 - Dec. 23, 2017 (included 32 SDSU games), San Diego State ranked sixth in total offense allowed per game (303.3) and ninth nationally in points allowed per game (18.3).
SDSU finished with a pass coverage grade ranked 31st or better three of the last four seasons according to Pro Football Focus and did not finish lower than 41st in any of the previous four seasons.
Entering the 2017 season, SDSU's 100 interceptions were the third most in the country since 2011, while its 14 interceptions returned for a touchdown were tied for the fifth most over that span. The Aztecs' 49 interceptions in 2015 and 2016 were the most in a two-year span in FBS play since Boston College had 51 in the 2007 and 2008 campaigns. SDSU led the country in interceptions (26) in 2016.
In 2015, the Aztecs finished among the top 10 in the four main defensive categories, including a tie for second with 23 picks, fifth in total defense (287.3), seventh in scoring defense (16.4) and 10th in passing defense (178.6).
SDSU produced one of the best defensive efforts in school history in 2014, finishing in the top 20 nationally in nearly every defensive category, including scoring defense (13th) and total defense (16th).
With White's guidance, in 2016 Damontae Kazee earned his second Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honor. Kazee became the first cornerback in MWC history to win the defensive player-of-the-year award twice and the fifth player overall. Kazee, the program's career record-holder in interceptions, was the first Aztec in program history with six or more interceptions in consecutive seasons. In the 2017 NFL Draft, Kazee was selected as the 149th overall pick in the fifth round by the Atlanta Falcons.
Kazee was named the 2015 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, a second-team All-American selection by USA Today, was an honorable-mention pick by Sports Illustrated and a first-team all-MWC honoree. His eight interceptions were tied for second most nationally and tied for the most in SDSU's Division I era and in Mountain West single-season history.
Kazee and J.J. Whittaker (second team) earned All-Mountain West honors for the second-straight year after earning spots on the 2014 team (Kazee - second team; Whittaker - second team). That year, White was named the Rivals.com Non-Power 5 Top Recruiter.
San Diego State intercepted 14 passes in 2014, which tied for 29th nationally. The Aztecs ranked third in in pass efficiency defense (112.1) in 2014 and allowed just 10 touchdowns through the air (second among Mountain West schools). White also guided SDSU's punt return unit to a league-leading punt return average.
In 2013, White earned Scout.com Mountain West Recruiter-of-the-Year honors for a second time. He helped Whittaker receive all-Mountain West honorable mention accolades in his first year of collegiate play in 2013. Whittaker led the squad with 14 passes defended (three interceptions, 11 pass breakups), which ranked fifth in the conference.
Under White's guidance, Leon McFadden became the fifth Aztec player in program history and the first since Kirk Morrison (2002-04) to garner first-team all-conference accolades in three consecutive seasons. McFadden, who owns the SDSU career record with 39 passes defended, was a third-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2013 NFL Draft after setting career highs with 61 tackles and three interceptions, including two for touchdowns, during his senior campaign in 2012.
In 2011, White was named the Scout.com Mountain West Recruiter of the Year and both of the team's starting cornerbacks, McFadden and senior Larry Parker, earned first-team all-league honors. Parker, who was also tabbed an honorable mention All-American by SI.com, led the Mountain West in interceptions with seven to tie for fourth nationally in his first campaign as a starter. His seven picks were the most by an Aztec since 1969, and are tied for third in program history.
White helped the Aztec defense improve substantially in the national rankings in 2010, climbing from 62nd to 10th in pass efficiency defense (113.4) and from 53rd to 39th in pass defense (205.0 ypg.). SDSU allowed less than 200 yards through the air in eight of 13 contests.
In 2010, White tutored McFadden to his initial first-team all-conference accolade, while the team's other starting corner, senior Jose Perez, received honorable mention all-league recognition. The pair both ranked in the top five in the MW in passes defended.
In 2009, SDSU surrendered only 15 passing touchdowns, including four in non-conference action, after giving up 21 TDs in 2008. Opponents scored one passing touchdown or fewer in eight of 12 contests.
White came to San Diego State after spending 2008 alongside current Aztec head coach Rocky Long at New Mexico. White was in charge of the Lobos' linebackers.
At UNM, he coached two all-conference linebackers in Zach Arnett and Herbert Felder. New Mexico ended 2008 ranked 26th nationally in rushing defense, 45th nationally in total defense and 46th nationally in scoring defense.
Before moving to Albuquerque, White served as the graduate assistant in football operations at UCLA in 2007. White assisted with the day-to-day operations and administration, recruiting administration and provided professional scouts with player information and videos.
In 2006, he was the head football coach at St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City, Calif., where he led the team to its best record in 13 seasons and coached two first-team all-CIF selections.
During his playing career, White was a three-year starter and four-year letterman at outside linebacker for Bob Toledo at UCLA from 1997-2000. He served as a team captain during his senior campaign in 2000, making 64 tackles and earning the team's N.N. Sugarman Award for Best Leadership. He received his bachelor's degree in history from UCLA in 2002.
White spent four seasons playing in the Canadian Football League for the Calgary Stampeders, Ottawa Renegades and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
He and his wife, Angela, have a son, Anthony III, and a daughter, Ava.
Tony White enters his second season as the cornerbacks coach and defensive passing game coordinator for Sun Devil Football.
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.
“Tony White is a proven recruiter at the national level and someone who has fielded an elite secondary just about every year during his tenure at San Diego State,” ASU head coach Herm Edwards said when he announced White’s hiring. “Tony’s area of expertise is the Los Angeles area and he will provide us a much-needed presence in that important area in addition to what we expect to be the continued development of our secondary.”
“I am humbled by the opportunity to be at a great institution like Arizona State,” White said. “Anytime you get a chance to be around great people and to be around the support like there is at ASU, it’s going to be an exciting opportunity. I look forward to working with Coach Edwards and his staff in order to bring a championship to Sun Devil Nation.”
San Diego State finished the 2017 season 11th nationally and first in the Mountain West in total defense in allowing just 314.5 yards per game and 15th in passing yards allowed (178.7).
San Diego State held 12 of its last 15 opponents to 375 yards or less of total offense. From Nov. 14, 2015 - Dec. 23, 2017 (included 32 SDSU games), San Diego State ranked sixth in total offense allowed per game (303.3) and ninth nationally in points allowed per game (18.3).
SDSU finished with a pass coverage grade ranked 31st or better three of the last four seasons according to Pro Football Focus and did not finish lower than 41st in any of the previous four seasons.
Entering the 2017 season, SDSU's 100 interceptions were the third most in the country since 2011, while its 14 interceptions returned for a touchdown were tied for the fifth most over that span. The Aztecs' 49 interceptions in 2015 and 2016 were the most in a two-year span in FBS play since Boston College had 51 in the 2007 and 2008 campaigns. SDSU led the country in interceptions (26) in 2016.
In 2015, the Aztecs finished among the top 10 in the four main defensive categories, including a tie for second with 23 picks, fifth in total defense (287.3), seventh in scoring defense (16.4) and 10th in passing defense (178.6).
SDSU produced one of the best defensive efforts in school history in 2014, finishing in the top 20 nationally in nearly every defensive category, including scoring defense (13th) and total defense (16th).
With White's guidance, in 2016 Damontae Kazee earned his second Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honor. Kazee became the first cornerback in MWC history to win the defensive player-of-the-year award twice and the fifth player overall. Kazee, the program's career record-holder in interceptions, was the first Aztec in program history with six or more interceptions in consecutive seasons. In the 2017 NFL Draft, Kazee was selected as the 149th overall pick in the fifth round by the Atlanta Falcons.
Kazee was named the 2015 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, a second-team All-American selection by USA Today, was an honorable-mention pick by Sports Illustrated and a first-team all-MWC honoree. His eight interceptions were tied for second most nationally and tied for the most in SDSU's Division I era and in Mountain West single-season history.
Kazee and J.J. Whittaker (second team) earned All-Mountain West honors for the second-straight year after earning spots on the 2014 team (Kazee - second team; Whittaker - second team). That year, White was named the Rivals.com Non-Power 5 Top Recruiter.
San Diego State intercepted 14 passes in 2014, which tied for 29th nationally. The Aztecs ranked third in in pass efficiency defense (112.1) in 2014 and allowed just 10 touchdowns through the air (second among Mountain West schools). White also guided SDSU's punt return unit to a league-leading punt return average.
In 2013, White earned Scout.com Mountain West Recruiter-of-the-Year honors for a second time. He helped Whittaker receive all-Mountain West honorable mention accolades in his first year of collegiate play in 2013. Whittaker led the squad with 14 passes defended (three interceptions, 11 pass breakups), which ranked fifth in the conference.
Under White's guidance, Leon McFadden became the fifth Aztec player in program history and the first since Kirk Morrison (2002-04) to garner first-team all-conference accolades in three consecutive seasons. McFadden, who owns the SDSU career record with 39 passes defended, was a third-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2013 NFL Draft after setting career highs with 61 tackles and three interceptions, including two for touchdowns, during his senior campaign in 2012.
In 2011, White was named the Scout.com Mountain West Recruiter of the Year and both of the team's starting cornerbacks, McFadden and senior Larry Parker, earned first-team all-league honors. Parker, who was also tabbed an honorable mention All-American by SI.com, led the Mountain West in interceptions with seven to tie for fourth nationally in his first campaign as a starter. His seven picks were the most by an Aztec since 1969, and are tied for third in program history.
White helped the Aztec defense improve substantially in the national rankings in 2010, climbing from 62nd to 10th in pass efficiency defense (113.4) and from 53rd to 39th in pass defense (205.0 ypg.). SDSU allowed less than 200 yards through the air in eight of 13 contests.
In 2010, White tutored McFadden to his initial first-team all-conference accolade, while the team's other starting corner, senior Jose Perez, received honorable mention all-league recognition. The pair both ranked in the top five in the MW in passes defended.
In 2009, SDSU surrendered only 15 passing touchdowns, including four in non-conference action, after giving up 21 TDs in 2008. Opponents scored one passing touchdown or fewer in eight of 12 contests.
White came to San Diego State after spending 2008 alongside current Aztec head coach Rocky Long at New Mexico. White was in charge of the Lobos' linebackers.
At UNM, he coached two all-conference linebackers in Zach Arnett and Herbert Felder. New Mexico ended 2008 ranked 26th nationally in rushing defense, 45th nationally in total defense and 46th nationally in scoring defense.
Before moving to Albuquerque, White served as the graduate assistant in football operations at UCLA in 2007. White assisted with the day-to-day operations and administration, recruiting administration and provided professional scouts with player information and videos.
In 2006, he was the head football coach at St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City, Calif., where he led the team to its best record in 13 seasons and coached two first-team all-CIF selections.
During his playing career, White was a three-year starter and four-year letterman at outside linebacker for Bob Toledo at UCLA from 1997-2000. He served as a team captain during his senior campaign in 2000, making 64 tackles and earning the team's N.N. Sugarman Award for Best Leadership. He received his bachelor's degree in history from UCLA in 2002.
White spent four seasons playing in the Canadian Football League for the Calgary Stampeders, Ottawa Renegades and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
He and his wife, Angela, have a son, Anthony III, and a daughter, Ava.