Albany State head football coach James “Mike” White announced his retirement after 15 seasons with the program.
“Coach White has provided Albany State football and the university with great service for many years,” ASU athletics director Dr. Richard H. Williams said. “He has led us to great success during his tenure at ASU, and he has left some big shoes to fill.
“Coach White has been a great ambassador for our program and Albany State University. We are proud of the legacy he has produced, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”
In 15 years, White garnered a record of 112-51(.687) overall and an 87-24 (.784) in the SIAC. His 112 victories rank him as the second winningest head coach in school history behind Hampton Smith. Under his leadership, the Golden Rams have won five SIAC championship titles . His 2010 team also captured their first SBN National Black College Football Championship and the Washington D.C. Pigskin Club’s National Black College Championship.
White also led the Golden Rams to seven NCAA Division II playoff appearances. Albany State reached the third round of the playoffs in 2004 and 2010. ASU also appeared in three of the SIAC’s championship games. White also led the Golden Rams to another postseason appearance when the team defeated Fayetteville State University in the 2003 Pioneer Bowl.
This year, Albany State finished 7-3 overall (7-0 in the SIAC) and lost to Tuskegee University 47-41 in the SIAC title game.
The recipient of several awards and honors for his coaching and leadership skills, White was named the 2013 SIAC Co-Coach of the Year, an honor he also received in five times. 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.
Named the assistant head coach for Albany State in 1997, White has been a member of the Golden Rams’ coaching staff since 1984, when he joined the staff as defensive line coach 30 seasons ago.
During his career as an assistant coach with Albany State, 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.
Prior to joining the Golden Rams coaching staff, 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, White was a two-time Pittsburgh Courier All-American player in 1977 and 1978. He was the SIAC Player of the Year in 1978 and was a three-time All-SIAC team member in 1976, 1977 and 1978.
ASU Office of Sports Information
