VSU names White basketball coach

ETTRICK -- George White, who spent the past two years on the Stanford University staff, yesterday was named as Virginia State's new head basketball coach during a press conference.

White, the first white men's basketball coach in school history and the only white coach in the CIAA, replaces Anthony Collins. Collins was reassigned last month after leading the Trojans into the semifinals of the CIAA tournament.

Collins compiled a 54-63 record in four years and had one winning season. His teams suffered back-to-back losing seasons, leading Athletic Director Peggy Davis to steer the program in another direction.

"We're excited about the decision we've made," said Davis, who interviewed four other job candidates. "Coach White brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from both the collegiate and professional level.

"We were looking for a head coach with championship experience. We want our student-athletes to understand what they are doing and why they are doing it. We are impressed with [White's] knowledge of the game."

White spent six years as head coach at Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., where he led the Bears to two NCAA Division III tournament appearances.

"I had been looking for a Division II situation," said White, 48, a former Denver Nuggets assistant administrator. "I knew it was a great fit, and I think we have untapped resources to build a great basketball program."

As an assistant coach, he helped guide Metropolitan State College to a Final Four appearance in the 2004 NCAA Division II tournament, and in 2005, the Roadrunners lost to eventual national champion Virginia Union in the 2005 Elite Eight.

Admittedly, one of White's biggest challenges will be getting the Trojans to compete with CIAA rival Virginia Union. The Panthers have beaten Virginia State 17 straight times.

"I appreciate the [VSU-VUU] rivalry," said White, who was director of external relations for the men's program at Stanford. "I know what our challenges are with Union, but you have to experience it to understand it."

White inherits an experienced team that includes rising senior and three-year starting guard Trey Mines. The Trojans return what likely will be the conference's best frontcourt, which includes all-CIAA freshman J.C. Chaney and rising senior Brandon Macklin.

White, too, takes over a program that largely underachieved last season. The Trojans were expected to seriously contend for the conference title, but they lost 9 of 11 games down the stretch before closing with a four-game win streak and a loss to CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith in the tournament semifinals.

"There's a sense of urgency around here," said Mines, a Colonial Heights High School graduate. "Some of us only have one more year to accomplish what we came here for, and I think [White] understands that."

White is preparing to take to the recruiting trail while he searches for assistant coaches to help turn the program around quickly.

"Our players will be challenged by me to elevate the program, and to elevate it very quickly," White said. "I can't say enough about where this program can go, because of the commitment from the university."

Contact Ralph N. Paulk at (804) 649-6851