Jerry White, born on March 5, 1943, embarked on a distinguished career in education and sports, which was celebrated with his induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2008. Starting in 1967, White’s journey as a teacher and coach spanned over three and a half decades, making significant stops at Happy Valley Elementary School (1967-1968), Cloudland High School (1968-1970), and Hampton High School (1970-2003; 2007-Present). At Hampton High School, he devoted himself to coaching boys basketball, where he left an indelible mark.

Throughout his illustrious career, White mentored young athletes to an impressive overall record of 661 wins against 421 losses. Under his guidance, his teams clinched 14 Conference Championships, 15 District Titles, 8 Region Championships, made 5 TSSAA State Tournament Appearances, and were twice TSSAA State Runners-Up. His achievements garnered him the title of Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year three times (1986, 1992, 1993). Significantly, White led his teams to achieve two 30-win seasons, managed fifteen seasons with 20 or more wins, and from the 1977-78 season, his teams consistently hit this mark for nine consecutive seasons.

White’s connection to basketball and TSSAA was rooted in his own experiences as a student-athlete. He played on the 1960 Hampton High School State Championship team when the competition had no classifications—an era of pioneers. He also played for legendary coach Buck Van Huss, who is himself a member of the TSSAA Hall of Fame, and continued his basketball journey at the University of South Carolina and East Tennessee State University.

Jerry White’s induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2008 was a fitting tribute to his contributions not only to the TSSAA but to the countless young athletes whose lives he influenced throughout his remarkable career.

TSSAA Hall of Fame
Class: 2008
Category: Coach