James "Mike" White - Football Coach (original) (raw)

In his 15th season as head coach at Albany State University, Coach Mike White has shaped the Golden Rams football program into one of the best in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Albany State football program has enjoyed tremendous growth and success for several years under Coach White’s leadership and is recognized as one of the premier Division II teams in the nation.

Coach White’s leadership, the Golden Rams have won five SIAC championship title in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2013. His 2010 Rams also captured their first SBN National Black College Football Championship and the Washington D.C. Pigskin Club’s National Black College Championship. With a career record of 105-48, he is now the second “winningest” coach in Albany State history.

Coach White and the Golden Rams finished the 2013 season with a 6-4 overall record and defeated Miles College 17-14 in the SIAC Championship game to win the programs 15th conference title.

Also the team’s defensive coordinator, Coach White has coached nationally-ranked defensive units and brought much attention to the Golden Rams “Dirty Blue” defense during his career. He has distinguished himself as one of the best defensive masterminds in the game. Under his leadership, the Albany State defense has been ranked among the best the in the NCAA statistics for several years. His 2010 Rams finished second in the nation in rushing defense and scoring defense, and third in total defense and pass efficiency defense.

The recipient of several awards and honors for his coaching and leadership skills, Coach White was named the 2010 SIAC Coach of the Year, an honor he also received in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. He was selected as the Heritage Sports Radio Network’s (HSRN) National Division II Football Coach of the Year as the most outstanding Division II coach during the season.
He was the recipient of the SBN/Eddie Robinson National Black College Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Sheridan Broadcasting Network, in 2004. He also won the 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010 and 2013 Charles B. Fisher Awards from the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. and was honored by the 100% Wrong Club of Atlanta as the SIAC Coach of the Year. He was also named Division II National Coach of the Year by Don Hansen's Football Gazette in 2004. He was inducted into the Albany State University Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

Known for his aggressive coaching style, Coach White has coached professional football standouts, including Walter Curry, who played with San Francisco 49ers; Jeff Hunter, who played with the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills; Chris Sheffield who played with the Pittsburgh Steelers; Dan Land, of the Oakland Raiders; Kenny Gant, of the Dallas Cowboys; Edward Hobbs, European Football League; and Markco Maddox, of the Minnesota Vikings.

Named the assistant head coach in May 1997, Coach White has been a member of the Golden Rams’ coaching staff since 1984, when he joined the staff as defensive line coach 28 seasons ago. A former Golden Rams football standout, he has been the defensive coordinator for 23 seasons.

During his career as an assistant coach with Albany State, Coach White was instrumental in leading the Golden Rams to nine SIAC championships, with five consecutive championships and five consecutive NCAA playoff appearances from 1993-1997.
In addition to his duties as defensive coordinator, Coach White served as special teams coordinator, conditioning coordinator, linebackers coach and director of intramural health and physical education.

Prior to joining the Golden Rams coaching staff, Coach White enjoyed a stellar five-year professional football career. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round in 1979, and played with the Seattle Seahawks from 1981 until 1983.
During his collegiate career as a Golden Ram, Coach White was a two-time Pittsburgh Courier All-American player in 1977 and 1978. Coach White was the SIAC Player of the Year in 1978 and was a three-time All-SIAC team member in 1976, 1977 and 1978. Coach White was the Most Valuable Player and Athlete of the Year in 1978. He won the All-Around Athlete award in 1977; Best Defensive Lineman in 1976, and Best Freshman in 1975. Coach White led the Golden Rams in tackles three of his four years and was co-captain of the team during his junior and senior years.

An Augusta, Ga. native, Coach White earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Master’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Albany State in 1990 and 1999, respectively.

Active in professional and civic organizations, Coach White is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, Black Coaches Association and the National Football League Alumni. Coach White and his wife, Phyllis, are members of the First Institutional Baptist Church in Albany.