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5d ago

Mike White, Former Cal, Illinois and Raiders Head Coach, Dies at 89

His family confirmed the death in Newport Beach, according to Cal.

FILE – Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese, center, talks with Oakland Raiders head football coach Mike White, left, and Raiders owner Al Davis, right, after the teams worked out in Austin, Texas, Aug. 1, 1995. Zampese, one of the architects of the Dan Fouts-led “Air Coryell” offense with the San Diego Chargers and Troy Aikman’s play-caller for the last of the Cowboys’ three Super Bowl titles in the 1990s, has died. He was 86. (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck, File)
Former Illinois football coach Mike White, pictured while coaching the Raiders in the mid-1990s. (Gary Reyes/San Jose Mercury News)
Nov 2, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A detailed view of CD ad AL decals in the memory of Carol Davis and Al Davis on the back of the helmet of Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Overview

  • He died Sunday at age 89 in Newport Beach, California, his family confirmed, and no cause was disclosed.
  • At Illinois (1980–87) he went 47-41-3 and led the 1983 team to a 9-0 Big Ten season that beat every other conference member and earned a Rose Bowl berth.
  • He resigned following an NCAA recruiting investigation; Illinois was put on probation twice with penalties including a 1984 postseason ban and no TV in 1985.
  • At Cal (1972–77) he compiled a 35-30-1 record and was named coach of the year after a Pac-8 co-championship in 1975.
  • He later coached in the NFL as a Raiders assistant and as Oakland’s head coach from 1995–96 (15-17 before his firing), and he served on Dick Vermeil’s St. Louis Rams staff during their 1999 Super Bowl season.