Foundation Academy's supportive staff is key for Daniel White's role

Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and that’s OK. It’s rare for plans to always come to fruition. Going with the flow and listening to what others recommend is part of the journey. 

That’s the story for Daniel White, former Apopka High School player and now head coach of Foundation Academy’s football team.

During his time as a University of Alabama at Birmingham player, his eyes were set on the NFL, like most college football players. Years ago, he didn’t envision his life leading him down the road of coming back home to a local high school and becoming its head coach, but that’s exactly where God led him. 

White now steps into his new role at Foundation Academy with the backing of all the staff at the school, who all share school spirit and a vision of producing this year. 

STRONG SUPPORT 

White officially took on the new role in January and, in his first few months, has realized the importance of having a strong, supportive staff and administration team to fuel success. The team’s started off this season 3-1, after finishing last year 5-5. 

“One thing that I think I always knew but it really hits home now being a head coach is the fact that you can’t do this thing alone; you need people and you need good people,” White said. “I’ve been really blessed and really fortunate to have some really good coaches.” 

He said the staff surrounding him have fully supported him with learning the ropes of becoming a head coach and transitioning into the role. It’s not only the athletic department that plays a vital role in assisting White but also the administrative team. 

“(They) know me and my vision for the program … and I just understand that I’m not doing this by myself,” he said. 

The whole process has been a blessing — especially after his father was hired as the associate head coach. 

When White accepted the head coaching position, he advocated for his father to become a part of the coaching staff. A large reason White took the role was to come back closer to home to be around his family and loved ones, so when the opportunity came about to get his father on staff, he leaped at it. 

His father’s been a longtime deacon and served as White’s spiritual adviser. To be in the head coaching position, White knew he needed his father around to keep him grounded, encouraged and to continue to grow his faith and journey with Christ. 

“I needed my dad there by my side, so it’s been a joy,” he said. 

Foundation Academy is set on building the same motto for all students, which is “All in.” It’s following the Colossians 3:17 scripture in the Bible. White said it’s the model the school came up with, not something originating in the football world. 

BACKING OF THE LORD 

First and foremost, Foundation Academy’s program is built on the back of Christ, White said. The Lions want to develop young men with great character who become pillars and staples in the community. The last focus is producing championships. 

“We understand that we represent Jesus Christ, but Jesus was a winner and we want to win as well, so that’s what we’re about,” White said. “That’s what this program is built on, whether win, lose or draw.” 

To him, the most rewarding part of his new job hasn’t been the amount of wins or losses the team has produced, but rather the moments when he gets to see players change and find their life with God. 

Two weeks ago, the team had a player who wanted to give his life to Christ. 

“That’s the real win for me, to be able to lead these young men who may not know Christ for themselves, want to give their life and follow after Christ,” White said. 

The athletics department’s specific motto is “Our greatness, His glory.”

“We may get the credit in the newspapers and on social media, but at the end of the day, we owe it all back to God, because He’s the one who gives us the ability to do what we do,” White said.

White credits the team’s success to the players, the young men who have bought into the culture being developed at Foundation Academy. He said the team still isn’t where it needs to be and it has a long way to go, but the players have been answering the call. 

“They’ve done an outstanding job of playing to the best of their ability and honoring God doing so,” White said. “It’s a long season, and they’re continuously working on growing and developing into better athletes. 

SHAPED FROM THE PAST 

White played at UAB as a linebacker from 2009 to 2013, and it was there he found his life’s journey through the players, coaches, administrators and trainers he met. 

“The people that I’ve met … paved the way and gave me the opportunity that I’m faced with today — whether that’s here at Foundation or that was my time at the college level, at the various stops I had,” White said. “UAB really shaped the man I am today.”

At college, he had three main instances that truly taught and shaped him in valuable ways. 

The first was during White’s freshman year. He enrolled in January 2009 at UAB as a true freshman. During his first, and only, 8 a.m. class the professor wrote on the board every day, “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.” 

“I don’t know what class that was and that was the only 8 a.m. class I ever took and that just stuck with me for the rest of my life,” White said. 

The second lesson was when he was kicked off the team for the second time at UAB. White said an older gentleman shared with him that he only had academics left, which is when he began to take his classes more seriously. 

After the old coaching staff was fired, White had the opportunity to rejoin the football team because he stayed in shape and kept his grades up. He’s grateful for the staff, especially head coach Garrick McGee. 

“(McGee) and his staff, they really opened my eyes to becoming a coach,” White said.

White’s defensive coordinator, Reggie Johnson, called him into the office one day. They sat down and had a conversation about what White’s future might look like, since it was his senior season. His one and only plan was to play in the NFL. 

Johnson suggested White should look into coaching for a plan B. 

“I guess I was a little dismissive just because I was so focused and I was so sure of myself making it to the NFL,” White said. “But when that didn’t happen, God brought me into coaching.” 

UAB’s staff is what helped to propel White on his coaching journey, leading him to Warner College, Morehead State University, Delaware State University, and now back to his hometown and with Foundation Academy.