UCLA Football: Why Rival Big Ten DC Should Be Next Bruins Head Coach

There's one obvious choice here...

The UCLA head coaching search is in full swing at this point. 

Reports indicate that a decision could come by Monday or Tuesday. A plethora of names has been attached to the job -- including Jedd Fisch, Brett Brennan, PJ Fleck, Eric Bienemy, Barry Odom, Tommy Rees, Tony Alford and Troy Taylor (among others). 

However, one candidate is sticking out like a sore thumb. 

I'm talking about Nebraska defensive coordinator Tony White. 

My ideal #UCLA staff:

HC/LB: Tony White
OC: Brennan Marion
DC/ST: Chris Horton
DL: Jamar Cain
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew
TE: Nate Longshore
WR: Del Alexander
DB: Chip West
QB: Jerry Neuheisel
OL: Mike Schmidt

— Jason Fray (@jasonfrayLA) February 10, 2024

There's no question White would be -- and should be the best choice for the job at this given time. 

He's the complete antithesis of Chip Kelly in virtually every way. Kelly was a perceived offensive genius -- whereas White has cultivated a lengthy career on the defensive side of the ball. Kelly didn't care about recruiting, the fan base, or representing UCLA in any tangible way. 

White is considered to be an excellent recruiter with tons of West Coast ties. There's also an element of pride here. The ex-linebacker played for UCLA as a multi-year starter during the early 90s. He understands the special nature of this university, the program, and the environment as a whole. 

More so than that, a personal attachment to UCLA likely will result in White putting in the requisite energy and time that Kelly simply didn't attempt to do. 

BRING @HuskerCoachTW HOME

GET #ComeHomeTony TRENDING!!!#UCLA @MartinJarmond pic.twitter.com/hXbu73SvGA

— UCLA Football Countdown (@CountdownUcla) February 11, 2024

Kelly is an older coach who had enjoyed success at a considerable record with Oregon. After stops in the NFL, this recent tenure at UCLA represented a 'science project' where he aimed to win with an arrogant 'do it my way or the highway' method rather than utilizing many of the available resources. 

In other words, rather than connecting with donors and alumni as a means to fundraise money for an NIL collective, Kelly opted to focus on a walk-on program and lower-rated high school prospects -- thinking he could simply develop players rather than going the extra mile to actually acquire a higher-level talent. 

The transfer portal initially did net the likes of Zach Charbonnet and Laiatu Latu. However, when the increased significance of NIL funds came into play, UCLA's effectiveness in transfer portal recruiting dried up akin to Kelly's prowess as a manager of the Power Five program. 

White is only 44 years of age. He's long been a defensive coordinator -- first learning the ropes from under famed defensive mind Rocky Long at New Mexico. Since then, he's held positions at San Diego State, Arizona State, Syracuse, and currently Nebraska. 

As the YouTube video above illustrates, many view White as a smart, detailed, dynamic and passionate individual. 

This past year at Nebraska, he helped the Cornhuskers become a top-five defense within the Big Ten (including No. 3 in rush defense). The year prior, Nebraska ranked No. 13 in rush defense and No. 11 defensively. Now imagine what White can do with multiple years of developing players, bringing in his own guys, and further implementing his scheme. 

In short, this is exactly the shot-in-the-arm this program needs. A young, aggressive coach who will recruit and also understand the dynamics of the NIL world. Being an alum, you can bet White will have a vested interest in wanting to make this program as good as it can be. 

Additionally, having not been a head coach yet, surely he's looking to prove himself in a real way. 

UCLA, do the smart thing...hire Tony White.