Sept. 13, 2013
- 2013 Game Day Central
- 2013 Fall Camp Central
- Read the September issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- 2013 Signing Day Central
- Hawkeyes in the NFL
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone/iPad app!
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- Friday Interview with C. White
IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa football assistant coach Chris White was happy to return to college football, and the White family is fully enjoying being a part of the Iowa City and UI community.
White is in his first year with the Hawkeye football program, coaching the running back position and special teams. He joined the Iowa program after serving as the special teams coach for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings the last four years, but the majority of his previous coaching experience was also on the college level.
After opening the season with two home games, the Hawkeyes, and the White family, will make their first road trip of the season Saturday at Iowa State.
“We’re excited, this is a great in-state rivalry, and the guys have been talking about it for a long time,” said White. “I think they are excited to go on the road and play a tough game against a good opponent. Games like this, the college rivalries, this is the reason I missed college football so much. It’s why I’m excited to be back; I really missed being part of the excitement and the college atmosphere.”
White inherited a pair of veterans in junior running backs Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock, while the special teams are led by senior kicker Mike Meyer, senior long snapper Casey Kreiter and sophomore punter Connor Kornbrath.
“We are a work in progress in both areas,” said White, in reference to his positions. “With special teams, just two games into the season, we are always looking for more consistency, both from the kickers and the coverage units. With the running backs, it’s the same situation; we still have a lot of room for improvement. Mark and Damon are doing a good job. We have four backs we feel comfortable with, and we feel good about the progress of our young fullbacks.”
White and his family, wife Angel and daughters Payton and Riley, are enjoying the move to the Iowa City area and the `university’ atmosphere.
“My family and I love it here,” said White. We love where we live; it’s a great community that welcomed us with open arms. My girls are situated in school, my wife is happy, things could not be better for us. We could not be happier.”
White previously worked on a college staff with Chris Doyle, Iowa’s strength and conditioning coach, and he worked with several former Hawkeye players during his coaching stint with the Vikings.
“I have always respected Kirk Ferentz from afar,” said White. “My previous knowledge of Kirk came from working with Chris, and everything he told me has been right on. I could not work for a better coach, as far as his leadership and what he represents. This is a perfect place for me at this point in my career.”
The Hawkeyes and Cyclones meet at 5:05 p.m. Saturday in Ames as part of the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. Fox Sports 1 will televise the contest.