Ted White is stepping up as the 38th head coach at his alma mater, Howard, and if you think this is just some sentimental homecoming, you’ve got another thing coming. This isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about igniting a program, and the guy has been around.
Football Royalty Steps Up for White
This hire isn’t just big for Howard; it’s got serious weight behind it. We’re talking NFL legend Doug Williams himself championing White’s hiring. Williams actually called the Athletic Director and pitched White for the job before the vacancy was even public knowledge. How wild is that? Williams, who is now the special adviser to the general manager for the Washington Commanders, laid it all out: “The most important thing for me has been seeing a young man keep going forward. I’ve never seen a guy who was more committed than Ted White.” He didn’t stop there, adding, “When this job came open, there wasn’t a person on earth who deserved the position more than Ted. I’m just happy to be here and be able to see him begin this new chapter.” That’s high praise from someone who knows football talent. White isn’t just a familiar face; he’s football royalty returning, having set conference career records for passing yards (9,808), passing touchdowns (92), and completions as a player. He also earned first-team Division I-AA All-America honors twice and was named MEAC Player of the Year and Black College Football Player of the Year in 1996. Talk about a resume.
The Blueprint for Upsetting the Odds
White’s coaching journey has taken him through some big-time programs, including assistant positions at places like Maryland, the Houston Texans, and UCLA. His lone significant coaching contact with Rutgers came in 2024 when he was UCLA’s quarterback coach. What happened that day? His QB, Ethan Garbers, went absolutely off: 32 of 38 for 383 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Bruins to a 35-32 win in Piscataway. You read that right: 383 passing yards and four scores in a road upset. That’s the kind of offensive fire power you want to see. He also had two stints with Maryland, in 2021 as an offensive quality control coach and in 2025 as an offensive assistant. In those two games, RU and Maryland split, with Maryland winning 40-16 in 2021 and Rutgers taking it 35-20 in 2025. History hasn’t been kind to Howard against Rutgers; they’re currently 0-6 all-time, with a combined score of 221-60 against them, stretching back to a 56-7 loss in 2006.
Yeah, the odds are stacked against Howard breaking that skid and upsetting the Knights at home. But a player returning to his alma mater, especially one with Ted White’s background and a track record of offensive explosion, usually means there’s a serious chip on his shoulder and fire in the belly. That makes for one interesting contest you won’t want to miss. Can this new era spark an upset? We’re about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Leave a Reply