Matthew White is in his third season as defensive coordinator. A year ago, White’s defense continued a trend of the Cavaliers being one of the hardest teams in NCAA Division II to pass on. UVA Wise ranked 19th in passing yards allowed as opponents passed for just 162.1 yards per game.
The passing defense highlighted a season that saw the defense score a trio of touchdowns while forcing 21 turnovers in the 11-game season. Both numbers ranked top 50 nationally while the team’s fourth down conversion defense (.200) was third best in NCAA Division II.
In White’s first season at UVA Wise, the coach oversaw a defensive unit that was among the best in the South Atlantic Conference.
In 2021, the Cavs led the league in sacks per game (3.36) and total interceptions (14) while ranking third in tackles for loss per game (8.3).
Following the conclusion of the season, defensive lineman Chavon Fields and defensive back Markel Dailey earned First-Team All-SAC for their play on the unit.
Prior to serving as defensive coordinator, White served as the Cavaliers’ defensive line coach while also overseeing the team’s strength and conditioning program.
“I am pleased to announce Matt White as our defensive coordinator,” remarked Head Coach Dane Damron after White’s promotion. “Matt brings high energy and has been successful as a head coach at the junior college level and as a coordinator at Kentucky Christian University.”
A native of Montana, White played collegiate football at the University of Sioux Falls before beginning his coaching career at Montana Tech University.
Following his stint at Montana Tech, White moved to West Hills Community College, where he coached linebackers in 2015. From there, the coach spent four years at Los Angeles Valley College serving as the program’s running backs, defensive backs and linebackers coach at various points before becoming the school’s defensive coordinator.
White would eventually become the head coach at Los Angeles Valley where he guided the school to a winning record behind a defense that was ranked top 20 nationally in scoring (17 points per game) and an offense that posted 45.8 points per game.
The coach then headed east to Kentucky Christian where he was associate head coach and defensive coordinator for the Knights in 2019.
White obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Sioux Falls and a master’s degree in human health and performance from Fort Hays State University.
