Coach White’s Plans For Revitalization

Coach White prepares his team for the upcoming season. // Photo courtesy of TONY / aCTION WESTPHOTOGRAPHY

Earlier this academic year, the Whittier College Board of Trustees approved the return of the Football program after alumni raised over $814,000 to help hire new coaches and recruit athletes. Then, on Feb. 10, seasoned-coach Cory White was revealed to be the new Head Coach for the team, quickly building a foundation for the upcoming season.

Although the playing season does not start until Fall 2026, Coach White confirmed that the department has started recruiting. “We got some success in our early recruiting, we’ve got five committed players for next Fall. Our goal is 15, so we’re on our way,” White explains. The Football department will also be holding a recruiting event on campus this upcoming Saturday. “Our goal is to get 25 potential freshmen in here, we’re currently standing at 19 [ interested students] so we’re feeling good about it,” he expresses. Although the number of recruitments has looked promising, White mentions that it has been a bit challenging, “I didn’t start until a month ago, and that’s pretty late to start the process for the 2025 class […] but we’re going to be okay.”

On April 1, the Football department hired Mark Odin as the new Assistant Head Coach and Defensive coordinator. They also welcomed Lucas Govan as Offensive Coordinator. White has stated that the three have been getting adjusted together and have been forming plans for the future season.

The positive reception from alumni and staff has motivated White: “A lot of alumni have reached out and want to help. I mean, the President, Vice President, and the directors have given me what I need to be successful early on.” He continues, “You know, the folks at the Admissions Office, the other assistant coaches, and even the folks down at the CI [Campus Inn], everyone is welcoming and trying to help and get us what we need. Everyone sees it as a positive way to increase the campus community and help achieve our goals.” The current goals White is committed to fulfill are to find players and establish a good foundation for the team set to begin in the Fall, “Even though we’re not playing football, we will still do weight training, develop, and get stronger. Get ready to play.”

As excitement of the returning sport still lingers, one question that remains is the state of the Graham Athletic Center (GAC). Football was a huge part of the athletics department in the past, but since its cancellation there has been an emphasis on the other sports that could lead to trouble. These concerns include how much attention athletic trainers will need to give to the football program and how the weight training spaces will be impacted as more players get recruited. However, White is not worried and actually sees a positive impact for the athletics department. “I think it’s going to be a return to normal. Obviously there’s less student-athletes and everyone’s had a lighter load, but I think the College recognizes our need for enrollment. We want those people back. Everyone used to handle football, no problem, they’ll just take it as a return to normal.”

Currently, the department is still accepting as many donations as they can. “I mean, you’re never going to turn away donations, right?” White jokes. He reflects on the possibility of attracting more donations, “A lot of it is going to be for us to go out and meet folks. I’ve had quite a few early meetings with different alumni groups who want to get involved from the outside. Over the summer, there’s events I plan to go to, like an Orthognian society reunion where they want me to go meet some people.” He also plans to travel to meet other alumni in different states, “We have alums from like San Diego, Seattle, or Hawai’i; I will try to meet with these alums and talk to them about future plans that have to do with fundraising aspects.”

As the ‘24-’25 academic year starts to close, White is looking far ahead into the possible number of players that the campus could be expecting. “We’re going to train them all for the Fall 2025 semester, it’ll probably be around 20 or 25 players. Then, ideally, we’re going to add 25 more players for the Spring of 2026 and that’s when we’ll actually have football practice.” According to White, once the season actually starts, he is “hoping to gain another 25 for the Fall 2026 semester so by our first season of competition, we’ll ideally be around 75 or 80 players at that rate.” While Fall 2026 seems too far away, it’s only just the beginning for White and his upcoming team.

Photo courtesy of Tony / ACTIONWESTPHOTOGRAPHY