Tony Washington Jr.

Biography

Tony Washington Jr. is in his first season as Kentucky’s edges/outside linebackers coach. Washington comes to Kentucky after spending the 2025 season at Ohio State as the assistant defensive line coach. At Ohio State, Washington Jr. played an integral role in a Buckeyes defense that has ranked nationally either No. 1 or No. 2 in nine different categories, including No. 1 in scoring defense (9.3), passing yards (129.7), and red zone scores (67.00). Anchored by first-team All-American and the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year, Kayden McDonald, whose development was heavily shaped by Washington Jr., the Buckeyes established themselves as one of the nation’s most dominant defensive units this season. Prior to Ohio State, Washington Jr. was an assistant coach working with the defensive line and outside linebackers in 2024 at UCLA. In that season, he helped the Bruins’ defense finish No. 6 nationally in rushing defense, limiting the opponent to just 96.2 yards per game. UCLA also ranked No. 39 nationally with 340.8 yards allowed per game, despite playing the fifth-toughest strength of schedule in the country. Under his tutelage, defensive tackle Jay Toia earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention and was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Washington Jr. also worked with defensive end Oluwafemi Oladejo, who was drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. Oladejo l