Chris White joins Grizzly staff as special teams coordinator

Montana head football coach Bobby Kennedy announced Thursday that Chris White, a veteran of more than 30 years coaching at the sport's highest levels — including 19 seasons in the Big Ten, ACC and NFL — has joined the Grizzly staff as special teams coordinator.

White's resume also includes stops at Buffalo, Michigan, the Detroit Lions, UConn, Syracuse and the Minnesota Vikings. 

White and Kennedy worked together at Iowa from 2013 to 2016 under head coach Kirk Ferentz, helping lead the Hawkeyes to four bowl games, including the 2016 Rose Bowl. White has arrived in Missoula and will begin working with the team immediately as players report Friday. 

“I'm really excited about coach White joining our staff. He has extensive FBS and NFL experience and will bring a pro-style perspective to our special teams. He is a great addition because of his background and experience at a high level," Kennedy said. 

Before arriving in Missoula, White spent three seasons as special teams coordinator at Memphis, helping the Tigers advance to three consecutive bowl games under coach Ryan Silverfield. 

"I could not be more excited to join the staff here at Montana. Coach Kennedy has been a longtime friend since we worked together at Iowa. We had a great run there. I became really close with him and his wife LaShonda, and we have had a great friendship ever since. When he got the job here, I was so proud of him and happy for him," White said. 

"Then he called me and asked if I wanted to be part of it. I was really about to retire and I said, 'What the heck?' I had never been to Montana. I have heard great things, and it has been exactly as advertised – the players, the tradition, the fan support, everything. I am so excited for the first game to see the atmosphere. It is going to be incredible." 

White is the first full-time special teams coordinator on the Grizzly staff since 2017. He takes over the group from former head coach Bobby Hauck, who served double duty. 

White and the Grizzlies open the first fall camp under Kennedy when players report to campus on Friday.