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Chuck White, the legendary high school basketball coach who won his 18th state championship in March, has resigned his position with West High to become an assistant coach At Adams State in Colorado under one of his former players.
Adams State head coach Louis Wilson played for White at East High -- where White won the first 14 of his titles -- from 1979-83, and credits his former mentor for giving him his start in coaching. Wilson served as a Thunderbird assistant from 1988-92.
"He is the reason I am who I am in this profession and I feel that having him with me on the sideline is like taking your tutor to the test," Wilson said in a press release issued by the Division II school in Alamosa, Colo. Wilson was hired to lead the Grizzlies earlier this year.
In 45 years as a high school coach, the 68-year-old White won an astounding 921 games. The last seven years have been at West, where he brought home four state championships. The last of those came March 17 when the Eagles thumped Wasilla 80-58.
White's primary responsibilities at Adams State will be the Grizzlies' pressure defense and transition offense, while also serving as a mentor for the entire staff.
After he retired from East in 1999, White moved to Aurora, Colo., where he has maintained a residence. He coached a team in Yakima, Wash., for four seasons before returning to Alaska and West in 2003. He continued living in Colorado and stayed with his sister during basketball season.
"That was too hard on us," White said in a press release about he and his wife of 30 years, Dianna. "Louis made this offer very attractive and as easy of a decision as anyone could. I'm very excited about this opportunity at the collegiate level as it was convenient and something I've always wanted to do."
The Grizzlies play in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and are coming off an 8-19 season.