Clayton White facts for kids
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Defensive coordinator |
| Team | South Carolina |
| Conference | SEC |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | December 2, 1977 Dunn, North Carolina |
| Playing career | |
| 1997–2000 | NC State |
| 2001–2002 | New York Giants |
| 2003 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers* |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2003 | Jesse O. Sanderson HS (NC) (DB) |
| 2004–2005 | Western Carolina (DB/RC) |
| 2006 | Western Michigan (DB/ST) |
| 2007–2009 | Stanford (DB) |
| 2010 | Western Kentucky (co-STC/DB) |
| 2011–2012 | UConn (STC/RB) |
| 2013–2016 | NC State (co-STC/S) |
| 2017–2020 | Western Kentucky (DC/CB) |
| 2021–present | South Carolina (DC/ILB) |
Clayton White was born on December 2, 1977. He is an American football coach and a former player. Currently, he works as the defensive coordinator for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Before joining South Carolina, he was the defensive coordinator for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Clayton White also played college football for NC State.
Contents
Playing Career
College Football Days
Clayton White grew up in Dunn, North Carolina. He went to Triton High School in nearby Erwin. There, he played both quarterback and linebacker on the football team.
After high school, he attended North Carolina State University. He became a starter at linebacker and on special teams in 1999 and 2000. White set several records at NC State during his time there. These included career tackles for loss and tackles in a single game. He earned his degree in sports management in 2001.
Playing in the NFL
After college, Clayton White played in the NFL. He spent two seasons with the New York Giants as a linebacker and a special teams player. He played in every game for the Giants during the 2001 season.
In April 2002, White hurt his knee during a practice. He did not play in any games during the 2002 season. The Giants released him in February 2003. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he was released during their training camp before the 2003 NFL season began.
Coaching Career
Starting as a Coach
After his time as a player, Clayton White started coaching. His first coaching job was at Sanderson High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. He coached the defensive backs there. The head coach, Tim Gillespie, had also played for NC State.
In 2004 and 2005, White coached defensive backs for Western Carolina. In 2006, he moved to Western Michigan. There, he coached defensive backs and was the special teams coordinator.
Coaching at Stanford
From 2007 to 2009, Clayton White coached the defensive backs for the Stanford team.
First Time at Western Kentucky
In 2010, White joined Willie Taggart's coaching staff at Western Kentucky University (WKU). He was the Co-Special Teams Coordinator and coached the Defensive Backs.
Time with UConn
Clayton White then worked for the UConn Huskies in 2011 and 2012. He was their special teams coordinator and also coached the running backs.
Coaching at NC State
From 2013 to 2016, White returned to his old college, NC State. He served as the co-special teams coordinator and coached the safeties.
Second Time at Western Kentucky
In 2017, Clayton White went back to Western Kentucky. This time, he was the team's defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach. He stayed in that role until the end of the 2020 season.
Joining South Carolina
In 2021, Clayton White was hired by the South Carolina Gamecocks. He became their defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. This was part of Shane Beamer's first coaching staff for the Gamecocks.
In 2021, White's defense was very good at getting the ball back from the other team. They caused 23 turnovers, which tied them for 11th best in the nation.
