ASU coach Mike White resigns

ALBANY – Longtime Albany State football coach James “Mike” White announced his resignation at ASU on Wednesday and is expected to be named the new football coach at Benedict College on Thursday.

A news conference has been called for 3 p.m. Thursday to announce the hiring.

Albany State athletic director Richard Williams said White turned in his letter of retirement on Wednesday.

“I wouldn’t say shocked, but more so excited,” Williams said. “I’m excited to see people who love Albany State and have given so many years of service move on to bigger and better things. He’s proven himself to be an excellent coach in the SIAC and I’m very happy for him and his family.”

No other details were available, but Williams wouldn’t confirm White’s hiring at Benedict. However, when The Albany Herald contacted Benedict Sports Information Director Dennis Switzer and asked if White would be named the new coach, Switzer responded by saying, “I can’t confirm, nor deny.”

White’s departure leaves Albany State without a football coach and a men’s basketball coach after Chris Cameron resigned before the start of the 2014-15 season.

White recently completed his 18th season as head coach and guided the Rams to the SIAC East Division championship. ASU lost in the final minute of the SIAC championship game to Tuskegee.

A five-time SIAC Coach of the Year, White led the Rams to conference titles in 2003-06, 2010 and 2013. He has worked at Albany State since 1984.

“He’s a guy that truly loves Albany State and I have the utmost respect for him,” Williams said.

White couldn’t be reached for comment.

Williams said he and Albany State President Art Dunning would meet and likely name an interim coach while beginning a national search.