By Jason Della Rosa

Sherman Herald Democrat

After five seasons as Denison's athletic director and head football coach, Cody White has resigned to take the same position at Brentwood Academy, a private Christian school in Tennessee.

"It was an opportunity God kinda put in our laps," White said. "There's a bit of knowledge of this school when it came open. We started having discussions and went through the process. Nothing we were actively seeking. I didn't have any other resumes out or anything."

White was familiar with the school because he almost accepted an offer to lead the program right before he was elevated to be in charge at Denison. Now he is succeeding the man, Ralph Potter, who was hired instead of White five years ago.

"At the time it wasn't right for me and my family," he said. "It's going to be good in the long run for both sides."

His initial time as an assistant at Denison helped lay the groundwork for a return following stops at Highland Park and Odessa Permian.

"The relationship part has been the most important deal. There's been some great friendships made," White said. "The people in this town, the administration, the school board - that's the tough part of leaving."

Those things helped play into White's decision to remain in Denison when Brentwood Academy came calling the first time. But the opportunity for his family - he and wife Lori have three daughters - was too tough to pass on again.

"Coach White has been a tremendous role model and motivator for our student athletes, both on and off the playing field. He will be sorely missed, but we wish him well in his new venture," Denison superintendent Dr. Henry Scott said.

Brentwood Academy, located in a suburb of Nashville, has had a strong history of winning state championships with 10 since 1974 and the last coming in 2006. All five of the school's team sports have won at least one state championship in the previous decade.

"I am thrilled to welcome Coach White and his family to Brentwood Academy," headmaster Curt Masters. "I am most impressed by his reputation for being the same person off the field as he is on the field. Those who know him best have shared many examples of how Cody leads by example with dignity and respect."

White went 34-24 in five seasons at Denison, including a 6-2 playoff mark, and 15 of those losses came in the past two years.

"You get frustrated because you want the kids to feel success," he said. "It was hard to see them not have success to get to the playoffs."

He guided the Jackets to the region semifinals in 2008 where the team lost to eventual state champion Sulphur Springs for a 12-1 record and then reached the state semifinals in 2009 - the fifth appearance in school history and first since 1997 - before losing to eventual state champion Aledo and finished 13-2.

Those two seasons also saw an offensive production unrivaled in school history as the team set several school records, including points scored and yards gained. Leading the way were Jordan Taylor, who is the program's all-time leading passer, all-time leading rusher D.J. Jones, and two of the top three receivers in Cody Reeves and Jimmay Mundine.

In his other three seasons Denison did not make the playoffs but missed on the postseason by a game in the standings each time. He won his first three Battles of the Ax against rival Sherman, including a 44-43 comeback in his first season when the Jackets rallied from down 19 in the fourth quarter, before losing the last two.

Defensive coordinator Tim McFadden will oversee the football program as the search for a head coach and athletic director begins next week. White will remain as athletic director until the middle of the month and still have a hand in the University Interscholastic League's realignment, which takes place today at 9 a.m., with vice principal John Parker serving as the ISD's representative at the region education service center.

"The district will be looking to replace Coach White with a highly qualified person who is not only a great football coach and athletic administrator, but also an individual of high integrity and character who will motivate and inspire our kids to excel in all areas," Scott said. "I have no doubt we'll find an excellent coach to carry on the great Yellow Jacket legacy."

White returned to Denison as the offensive coordinator in 2005 and led the change from the Jackets' power running attack to the spread. He was named the 22nd head coach in program history - and just the third since 1981 - when the school's all-time wins leader, Bob Brown, retired after the 2006 season.

His five seasons were tied for the sixth-most by a Denison head coach and he was the fifth to coach at least 50 games for the school.

Only Brown (127), Marty Criswell (89), Les Cranfill (52) and Herman Bailey (45) have more Denison victories than White.

Coming off a 3-7 season and waiting for the new district information, the Jackets return several starters on both sides of the ball, including its receiving core and entire secondary. Graduation will force entire replenishment on the offensive and defensive lines.

"Kids are resilient. These kids are going to work their tails off," White said. "I know Dr. Scott's going to get someone in here that will do a great job. I feel like it's going to be a good situation for whoever comes in here."

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