Background
White, Mike was born on January 4, 1936 in Berkeley, California, United States.
professional sports team executive
White, Mike was born on January 4, 1936 in Berkeley, California, United States.
He succeeded Gary Moeller, who in three seasons at Illinois finished no higher than eighth in the Big Ten Conference.
He has 16 years experience as a head coach, including stints at the University of California, Berkeley (1972–1977), the University of Illinois (1980–1987) and the Oakland Raiders of the (NFL) (1995–1996). He coached a team led by Joe Roth, Chuck Muncie and Wesley Walker to the Pac-8 co-championship—the school"s first conference title in 18 years. White moved to the University of Illinois in 1980.
White quickly turned around the Illinois football program, posting a winning season in only his second year.
In 1982, he led the Illini to the Liberty Bowl, the school"s first bowl appearance since the 1964 Rose Bowl. The 1982 Liberty Bowl was also notable as the final game coached by University of Alabama head coach Bear Bryant.
White also led the Fighting Illini to the 1985 Peach Bowl, which they lost to Army 31–29. In eight seasons at Illinois, White"s teams had a combined record of 47–41–3, for a winning percentage of.533.
Along the way, White coached future NFL quarterbacks Dave Wilson, Tony Eason, and Jack Trudeau, and record-setting wide receiver David Williams.
White"s years as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders are best recalled for the team"s collapse in the 1995 season, when the 8–2 Raiders went into a nosedive, losing their final six games to finish 8–8 and not make the playoffs. Following a 7-9 record in 1996, White was fired by the Raiders on Christmas Eve, being given the news by Bruce Allen though First Rate (at Lloyd's) Davis was involved in the decision. lieutenant is likely that the call was made in the morning, allowing White"s family to enjoy Christmas Eve.
White was on the coaching staff of the Rams 1997-1999, including a Super Bowl victory at the conclusion of the "99 season.
White later served as the Director of Football Administration for the Kansas City Chiefs.
White is a member of The Delta Upsilon Fraternity.