White to lead Dayton football

Dayton Athletic Director Todd Shirley did not need to look far to find the Pirates’ next football coach.

Not that he wanted to.

Greg White, a longtime Dayton football assistant, has been promoted to head coach. White is a Dayton High School graduate who played football for the late Pirates coach Dewey Sullivan. He assisted former head coaches Rob Umbenhower, Gary Thorson and Brodie Unger.

White did not return a message seeking comment.

“We’re looking for some stability long-term and we can see that with him,” Shirley said. “He’s seen different philosophies, different experiences. He will kind of be able to form his own style.”

Unger left Dayton after two seasons atop the program to become the defensive backs coach at Linfield College. He left the Pirates with a 23-1 record, including a 2012 Class 3A state championship and a 2013 Class 3A state semifinals appearance.

White, who was formally hired in late April, is the Pirates’ fourth head coach in the past eight seasons.

“Really, the key for him is just his passion and his heart for Dayton football,” Shirley said. “He wants (the kids) to have a great experience.”

It was unclear at press time how many members of the Pirates’ 2013 coaching staff would be retained.