Louis White

Louis White grew up in Courtland and was a graduate of Central High School in Courtland in the days before integration. He later received his degree from Alcorn State University in 1971. White returned home and accepted a position as an assistant coach at Colbert Heights High School. He moved to Courtland as an assistant to Coach O.B. Owens for a season before taking over the program in 1975. His teams struggled for a few season before learning to win on a consistent basis. Whites first team actually finished 0-10. His overall record at Courtland stands at 181-83 with four State Championships in 17 playoff appearances. His boys track team also won five state titles. His teams won 17 area and region titles in his 24 years as a head coach. His playoff record is 45-13 which is among the best of all time. The 1988 Chiefs won the first State Championship in school history with a 22-21 win over Billingsley in the title game. They repeated the next season with a 13-2 win over Excel High School. A rare three-peat came in 1990 when the Chiefs defeated Autaugaville 18-0 for their third title in as many years. In 1995, Courtland beat Maplesville 14-7 for a fourth and final title for their coach. Coach White also coached at Colbert Heights two years. White coached in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic twice. He has served as president of the Coaches Association and on the Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Committee and the Hall of Fame Committee. White was named Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers in 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1995. White is a member of the Lawrence County Hall of Fame and he was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Associations Hall of Fame in 2003.