After another notable Wisconsin football alumni accepted a coaching job elsewhere, some former players had plenty of questions.
Former Wisconsin Badgers running back and fan favorite player James White was announced as the new assistant running backs coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini yesterday. White, a three-time Super Bowl winner, played collegiate football for Wisconsin and is considered to be a player that added plenty of flair and talent to Madison during his tenure before being selected by the New England Patriots in the NFL Draft.
White recorded 4015-yards rushing, 45 rushing touchdowns, and three receiving touchdowns without ever really being the only ballcarrier for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Former Wisconsin Football Running Back James White Joins Illinois Football Staff
The running back last played in 2021 before announcing his retirement via social media in 2022, effectively ending his playing career after a very long and successful run with the Patriots.
Since retiring, White had expressed interest in coaching but no news of any possible offers or coaching opportunities had been connected to the former running back. Now, White is reunited with his former coach at Wisconsin, Bret Bielema, who currently holds the same title with the Illinois Fighting Illini.
White will break into coaching this upcoming season with the Fighting Illini as an assistant running backs coach in his first full season coaching at any level. While seeing White return to the sidelines excite many Wisconsin football fans, many alumni and fans are upset that White cannot do so on the sideline in Madison.
Multiple Wisconsin Badgers Football Alumni Express Displeasure via Social Media
Perhaps one of the loudest voices has been former Wisconsin football alumni Sojourn Shelton, who also co-hosts a podcast called The Money Down Podcast with White and Warren Herring.
Shelton claimed that fans always hear about “how special the culture is” but yet the people who “made” the culture special are not a part of the program.
You always hear about how special the culture is at UW. Which I agree it is BUT … why not bring back the ppl who made it special AND wanna give back 🤣
— Sojourn Shelton II (@_SDS8) March 6, 2025
I wonder why Wisco don’t bring back more former players that wanna coach and bled that Motion W SMH 🤔🤦🏾♂️👎🏾
— Sojourn Shelton II (@_SDS8) March 6, 2025
Why he not at Wisconsin???? Smh https://t.co/lwWFKH1cww
— Faion Hicks (@Faion_Hicks) March 6, 2025
Veteran Wisconsin football cornerback and former Seattle Seahawks defensive back Faion Hicks was also critical of the program for not hiring White. Hicks previously expressed displeasure with the program over the exit of cornerback Xavier Lucas and following the end of the bowl streak.
Former players reuniting with the program they previously represented was once customary in coaching, but since has changed as many programs push to acquire specific individuals or fits within the program. White is the latest example, but also one that is a bit of an exception as the running back is meeting up with his former coach once again, but in a different environment from Wisconsin.
Madison has undergone a few identity changes since White left the program, and the redevelopment of those connections between athlete and program has not necessarily been top of the list for the current staff. Coach Luke Fickell has deep roots tied to both Cincinnati and Ohio State, which certainly could explain why the Badgers have not added such alumni to the staff up to this point.
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