Round Two: (3) Darrell Asberry vs. (12) Mike White

[Bornthrilla]

Darrell Asberry


Head Coach


Darrell Asberry is in his third season at the helm of the Shaw University Bears. He is definitely bringing gridiron success to the SU program with a stellar background as a player and coach. He joined the SU Bears after a two year stint as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at North Carolina Central University. After a successful first season with the NCCU, he was promoted to assistant head coach.

In 2004, Asberry engineered the top-ranked offense in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) as the Eagles were number one in total offense (359.3 ypg), passing offense (176.1 ypg) and scoring offense (29.8 ppg) and were number two in rushing offense (247.2 ypg). As quarterback coach, his starting QB was voted 2004 CIAA Offensive Player of the Year.

Prior to joining the NCCU staff, Asberry served as offensive coordinator at Albany State, Jackson State and Coahoma Community College.

The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native is a 1994 graduate of Jackson State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He lettered two seasons at the quarterback position, earning team MVP honors as a senior.

After his collegiate career he went on to play professionally as a wide receiver and quarterback with the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League in 1994-95 and was a wide receiver with the Amsterdam Admirals of the World Football League in 1995-96.

Asberry began his coaching career as offensive coordinator, wide receivers and quarterbacks coach at Albany State (1997-1998). He returned to his alma mater in 1999 and became running backs coach, before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2000. In 2001 JSU led the NCAA D-IAA ranks in passing with a 344 yards per game average and in 2002 they led the nation in total offensive yards with a 485 yards per game average.

In 2003 he joined the staff at Coahoma Community College (Clarksdale, MS) as offensive coordinator.

Asberry is taking over the SU program that has seen success with a four year 29-13 (.690) record since it was reinstated in 2002.

Asberry is married to the former Tiffany Rutledge of Baton Rouge, LA and they are the proud parents of Arabria (13 yrs.) and Armarni (10 yrs.).

[Bornthrilla]

Mike White

Head coach, Albany State

Headed into his ninth season as head coach of the Albany State University Golden Rams, Mike White has shaped the football program into one of the best in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Under White's leadership, the Golden Rams have won four consecutive SIAC championships in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, and made consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division II Football Championships in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. White led the 2007 Golden Rams to a 8-3 overall record.

White has coached nationally-ranked defensive units and brought much attention to the Golden Rams "Dirty Blue" defense. He has distinguished himself as one of the best defensive masterminds in the game. Under his leadership, the Albany State defense has ranked in the top 10 of the NCAA statistics for several years. The Golden Rams finished the 2006 season ranked third in the nation in scoring defense, fifth in the nation in total defense and ninth in both rushing defense and pass efficiency defense, and 23rd in team pass sacks. White has received several awards and honors for his coaching and leadership skills. He was named SIAC Coach of the Year in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. He was the recipient of the SBN/Eddie Robinson National Black College Coach of the Year Award, presented by the Sheridan Broadcasting Network, in 2004. He won the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Charles B. Fisher Awards from the Pigskin Club of Washington, DC. and was honored by the 100% Wrong Club of Atlanta as the SIAC Coach of the Year. He was also named Division II National Coach of the Year by Don Hansen's Football Gazette in 2004.

White, who became assistant head coach in May 1997, has been coaching for the Golden Rams football program since 1984, when he joined the staff as defensive line coach. A former Golden Rams football standout, he has been the defensive coordinator for 20 years.

Known for his aggressive coaching style, White has coached professional football standouts, including Jeff Hunter, who played with the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills; Chris Sheffield who played with the Pittsburgh Steelers; Dan Land, of the Oakland Raiders; Kenny Gant, of the Dallas Cowboys; Edward Hobbs, European Football League; and Markco Maddox, of the Minnesota Vikings.

During his career as an assistant coach with Albany State, White was instrumental in leading the Golden Rams to nine Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championships, with five consecutive championships from 1993-1997; and five consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from 1993-1997.

In addition to his duties as defensive coordinator, White served as special teams coordinator, conditioning coordinator, linebackers coach and director of intramural health and physical education.

Prior to joining the Golden Rams coaching staff, White enjoyed a stellar five-year professional football career. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round in 1979, and played with the Seattle Seahawks from 1981 until 1983.

During his collegiate career, White was a two-time Pittsburgh Courier All-American player in 1977 and 1978. White was the SIAC Player of the Year in 1978 and was a three-time All-SIAC team member in 1976, 1977 and 1978. White was the Most Valuable Player and Athlete of the Year in 1978. He won the All-Around Athlete award in 1977; Best Defensive Lineman in 1976, and Best Freshman in 1975. White led the Golden Rams in tackles three of his four years and was co-captain of the team during his junior and senior years.

An Augusta, Ga., native, White earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Master's degree in Health and Physical Education from Albany State in 1990 and 1999, respectively.

Active in professional and civic organizations, White is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, Black Coaches Association and the National Football League Alumni.

White and his wife, Phyllis, are members of the First Institutional Baptist Church in Albany.

[The Professor]

U have a guy who has very loose standards at the school, so he can get almost any player in vs. a coach who can't beat tuskegee