‘The perfect fit for Benet’: Former Super Bowl champion James White taking over football program

During his NFL and collegiate football career, James White played a vital role on three Super Bowl championship teams and three Big Ten Conference team titles.

Now White will try to become an integral part of the high school ranks after accepting the head football coaching position at Benet Academy on Thursday.

White, who serves as an assistant running backs coach at the University of Illinois, will continue his work with the Illini through the end of the 2025 season.

“My wife has been living in Naperville for the last four or five years,” White said. “I’ve been waiting for something like this to open at the high school level. Once I saw the job opening, I thought it was a great opportunity.”

White succeeds Benet graduate Pat New, who guided the Redwings to a 92-67 record in 16 seasons that included 10 state playoff berths and three state semifinal appearances (2013, 2017, 2018).

“Once Pat announced his retirement (from coaching), we posted the job opening and targeted some people,” said Benet athletic director Scott Lawler. “I was looking for somebody who had college coaching experience because it helps get people to come in, and a lot of our kids want to play at the next level. I wanted someone who understood that part and could explain things while teaching them.

“Obviously, James has accomplished a little more than that.”

White, who played high school football at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starred for Illinois head coach Bret Bielema’s Wisconsin teams from 2010-2013, helping the Badgers capture three Big Ten titles and make three Rose Bowl trips.

Named as the 2010 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, White ran for 4,015 yards and 48 touchdowns at Wisconsin. As a senior in 2013, White (1,444 yards) combined with teammate Melvin Gordon to set the FBS single-season rushing record with 3,053 yards.

After being selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft by New England, White went on to play eight seasons with the Patriots, helping the team win six division titles and three Super Bowl championships.

One of his best NFL games came during New England’s historic 34-28 overtime victory over Atlanta in Super Bowl LI.

White accounted for 139 total yards, including a Super Bowl-record 14 receptions for 110 receiving yards, and he scored three touchdowns as the Patriots rallied from a 28-3 third-quarter deficit.

His 1-yard touchdown run with 57 seconds remaining in regulation helped the Patriots tie the game before his 2-yard touchdown run in overtime was the game-winner.

“With his background, I can’t wait for our people to meet him,” Lawler said. “We have a great culture in athletics at Benet.”

White is ready to do his part.

“I was able to experience what the kids are going through right now,” White said. “I can teach them and share things about the game, about different situations they might be going through, and about work ethic on and off the field.”

White, whose NFL career ended in 2022, also served as an assistant coach at NIU in 2024, working in an off-field capacity with player personnel and development functions.

“All kids learn differently,” the 33-year-old said. “You must get to know them as a person and a football player and how they learn. It’s about building and strengthening relationships.

“As a coach, it’s not about you, it’s about the players.”

Ironically, White returns to his collegiate roots when Illinois takes on Wisconsin Saturday night in Madison.

“I’m sure I’ll get the chance to see some old friends,” he said.

White joins a growing trend of former NFL players to become high school head football coaches in the area — Robbie Gould at St. Viator, Jason McKie at Carmel and Tom Zbikowski at St. Patrick.

“I was not thinking about that,” Lawler said. “I had to find the right person — someone who would give back to the community. Pat (New) did an unbelievable job getting us on the map the last 15 years. We’re hoping James takes the program to the next level.

“More importantly, he is a great human being and role model. He is the perfect fit for Benet.”

The Florida native has spent the past 15 years in New England and the Midwest.

“I can’t seem to get away from the cold,” White said.