In 2025, Florida State University (FSU) made significant changes to its football coaching staff, hiring Gus Malzahn as the new offensive coordinator and Tony White as the defensive coordinator. These appointments aim to revitalize the Seminoles’ football program following a challenging 2024 season.
**Gus Malzahn as Offensive Coordinator**
Gus Malzahn, renowned for his innovative offensive strategies, joined FSU as the offensive coordinator. Malzahn’s coaching career includes successful tenures at Auburn University and the University of Central Florida (UCF), where he was known for his up-tempo, no-huddle offense. His approach is expected to bring a dynamic and fast-paced offensive style to the Seminoles, potentially enhancing their scoring capabilities and overall offensive performance. citeturn0search8
**Tony White as Defensive Coordinator**
Tony White was appointed as FSU’s defensive coordinator, bringing with him a reputation for developing aggressive and innovative defensive schemes. Prior to joining FSU, White served as the defensive coordinator at the University of Nebraska, where his defenses ranked among the top 20 nationally in consecutive years. His expertise in the 3-3-5 defensive alignment is anticipated to strengthen FSU’s defensive unit, focusing on versatility and adaptability to various offensive threats. citeturn0search0
**Additional Coaching Staff Changes**
Alongside the coordinator hires, FSU made several other coaching adjustments to bolster the team’s performance:
– **Herb Hand as Offensive Line Coach**: Herb Hand, known for his work with offensive lines, was brought in to enhance the Seminoles’ offensive line play, aiming to improve both pass protection and run blocking.
– **Evan Cooper as Safeties Coach**: Evan Cooper joined the staff to coach the safeties, focusing on developing the secondary and enhancing pass coverage.
– **Tim Harris Jr. as Wide Receivers Coach**: Tim Harris Jr. was appointed to coach the wide receivers, with the goal of improving receiving corps performance and contributing to a more dynamic passing game.
– **Terrance Knighton as Defensive Line Coach**: Terrance Knighton took on the role of defensive line coach, aiming to strengthen the defensive front and improve the team’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
These strategic hires reflect FSU’s commitment to enhancing both offensive and defensive units, addressing areas that require improvement, and building a more competitive team for the upcoming seasons.
For a detailed overview of Tony White’s appointment as defensive coordinator, you can watch the following video:
videoFSU Hires Tony White As Defensive Coordinatorturn0search7
