Santa Ana College football coach Anthony White, who helped revive the program at Buena Park High and advocated for diversity in Orange County’s coaching ranks, died after a battle from cancer, the college announced Friday.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Head Football Coach Anthony White after a courageous battle with cancer,” the college posted on social media. “Anthony has left an indelible mark on SAC Athletics and everyone who was blessed to know him.”
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Head Football Coach Anthony White after a courageous battle with cancer.
Anthony has left an indelible mark on SAC Athletics and everyone who was blessed to know him. pic.twitter.com/nPwEuMiOqF
— SAC Dons (@SACDons) November 24, 2023
The 42-year-old White, in his third season at Santa Ana, attended at least one game this fall and coached remotely during the campaign, Santa Ana College athletic director Mary Hegarty said. The Dons (9-2) awarded White their MVP before finishing their season with a 56-48 win against Desert in the Southern California Bowl on Nov. 19.
“He was an outstanding coach but an even better man,” Hegarty said of White.
White became one of the first Black head coaches in Orange County community college football in recent memory when he was hired at Santa Ana in May 2021.
“I consider myself the first one,” White, who also was half-Hispanic, told The Register at the time. “I understand it’s a huge responsibility and I take that to heart.”
Several players and coaches recently visited White in the hospital, Santa Ana College offensive coordinator Geoff Jones said.
“He wanted his son to be proud of him,” a tearful Jones said of White, who was married with two young children. “We all respect him.”
White, a teacher at Buena Park, turned the struggling Coyotes’ football program into consistent winners during his seven-year tenure, which ended after the 2016 season.
In his final season, White guided the Coyotes (10-2) to their first outright Freeway League title since 1991. He compiled a 59-22 record at Buena Park and coached standouts such as Jaylinn Hawkins, Josh Tupou and Nik Needham, all of whom reached the NFL.
White also coached the O.C. all-star game in 2016.
“He was definitely a big mentor,” Buena Park coach David Prieto said. “His classroom was always open.”
Memorial information has not yet been announced.
