![Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) tries to manuver past Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard (20) during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Packers edged the Jaguars 30-27 on a last-second field goal. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2025/03/USATSI_24608118_168400517_lowres-902x600.jpg.webp "“They Traded For His Replacement” – Green Bay Packers WR Free Agent Target Unlikely to Be Re-Signed")
There is a case to be made that former Wisconsin Badgers running back James White is the most successful player at his position to ever play in the NFL (among former Badgers running backs). While others had more career rushing yards as a professional, White won three Super Bowl titles as a member of the New England Patriots.
The sixth all-time leading rusher in Wisconsin history, White finished his Badgers career with 4,015 rushing yards. His 45 career touchdown runs are tied for fourth in school history and his 48 total touchdowns rank fifth.
Ironically, White became better known for his receiving abilities in the NFL than he was for rushing. As the Patriots’ backup running back, he had 3,278 career receiving yards compared to 1,278 career rushing yards.
Wisconsin Badgers Fans Are Furious James White Got Hired by Illinois
Indeed, White is one of the most beloved Badgers players of recent memory, in part because of how well he represented the university while playing in the NFL.
Unfortunately for fans, White is returning to the college ranks as a coach, but it is not with Wisconsin. Instead, he is joining his former coach, Bret Bielema, at Illinois:
Welcome 3-time Super Bowl champion, @SweetFeet_White, to Champaign!
🟠 https://t.co/Di48DaGMh0 pic.twitter.com/M76LQqwGXk
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) March 6, 2025
And while Badgers fans are thrilled that he is going into coaching, they are not happy that Wisconsin was not the school that hired him:
Why he not at Wisconsin???? Smh https://t.co/lwWFKH1cww
— Faion Hicks (@Faion_Hicks) March 6, 2025
SMH @UWBadgers @BadgerFootball let’s get it together. This is a loss. These are OUR guys. https://t.co/IMXCxZUuK4
— Chris James (@5ive2Live) March 6, 2025
Should be a spot on the staff for a guy like this. Unsure if he tried or not but hope in the future he can find a role on the staff https://t.co/FLTBLIrDaE
— Badgers Army (@BadgersArmy) March 6, 2025
Have I mentioned how much I despise Luke Fickell yet? https://t.co/o9mpIunbNU
— Placeholder (@CPaul48) March 6, 2025
This one stings! 🤬 https://t.co/rx2ZS4Y9ho
— EricTheRed (@RealEricTheRed) March 6, 2025
While it may be easy for fans to feel anger regarding White joining Illinois, it should be noted that he has not coached on the collegiate level before. It makes sense that he would choose to learn the craft of coaching from Bielema who, as mentioned, was his coach while was playing with the Badgers.
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