**CHAMPAIGN —** **[Illinois](https://247sports.com/college/illinois/)** has hired James White as assistant running backs coach, the program announced on Thursday. White reunites with Illinois head coach **[Bret Bielema](/Coach/bret-bielema-137/)**, who coached White in college at Wisconsin.
* White is a three-time Super Bowl Champion and three-time Big Ten Champion. This is is first year in coaching following an eight-year NFL career with the New England Patriots
* White starred on Bielema's Wisconsin teams from 2010-2013, helping the Badgers win three Big Ten championships and three Rose Bowl appearances
* White was the 2010 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and ran for 4,015 yards and scored 48 touchdowns during his Wisconsin career.
* White was a fourth-round pick of the Patriots and ran for 1,278 yards and 11 touchdowns during his NFL career to go with 3,278 receiving yards and 25 receiving touchdowns.
**White said in a statement:** "I am thankful for the opportunity to work with Coach Bielema and his staff. I am excited to get to learn and grow with the coaches and players as we work to be the best we can be on a daily basis."
**Bielema said in a statement:** "Since first recruiting James out of St. Thomas Aquinas, he has continued to be an impressive person both on and off the football field. James has always been a leader in the locker room and demanded respect from his teammates and coaches. With his experiences in the Big Ten and on the biggest stages in the NFL, he will be a great resource for our running backs."
_This story will be updated._