CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – James White, a three-time Super Bowl champion and former Big Ten standout, has been named the Assistant Running Backs Coach for the Illinois football program, as announced by Head Coach Bret Bielema. White, who played for Bielema at Wisconsin, brings a wealth of experience to his new role after an eight-year NFL career with the New England Patriots.
Throughout his college career, White helped lead Wisconsin to three Big Ten championships and three trips to the Rose Bowl. He finished his career with 4,015 rushing yards and 48 touchdowns, ranking among the top players in school history. As a senior in 2013, White combined with Melvin Gordon to set an FBS record for most rushing yards by teammates in a single season. He also set the Wisconsin record for receiving yards by a running back with 670 yards and finished fourth in all-purpose yards with 5,450.
White’s NFL career saw him make a significant impact with the New England Patriots, where he played in 95 games and scored 25 touchdowns. His most memorable performance came in Super Bowl LI, when he scored three touchdowns in a historic comeback win against the Atlanta Falcons, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
Now transitioning into coaching, White will bring his leadership and extensive playing experience to Illinois’ running backs room. Coach Bielema, who recruited White out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, praised his leadership qualities both on and off the field, noting that his experiences at Wisconsin and in the NFL will make him an invaluable asset to the team.
White expressed his excitement about the new role: “I am thankful for the opportunity to work with Coach Bielema and his staff. I am excited to get to learn and grow with the coaches and players as we work to be the best we can be on a daily basis.”