For the third time in four years, Mike White has guided the Texas Longhorns softball team to the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) championship series. This marks the team’s return to the best-of-three championship series for consecutive seasons; however, previous attempts in 2022 and 2024 ended in disappointments as they were swept by Oklahoma, with a combined score of 26-6 and 16-7.
The Longhorns aim to alter this trend starting June 3 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City as they face NiJaree Canady and No. 12 Texas Tech in the 2025 championship series. White is determined to lead his team to success this time around.
In addition to his coaching prowess, one aspect that stands out about Mike White is his distinctive accent. Originally from Wellington, New Zealand, he became a U.S. citizen in 1994. White’s early aspirations were aimed at playing soccer for New Zealand’s national team, but his plans changed due to civil unrest in Fiji in 1979. Instead, a call from the U.S. led him to pursue his sports career abroad.
White established himself as a stellar pitcher in the U.S., earning a place on 11 championship teams in both the American Softball Association and the International Softball Congress, capturing MVP honors five times. His successful athletic career also transcended into international competition, where he led Team USA to a bronze medal at the world championships in 2000, along with multiple medals in the Pan American Games.
His tenure at Texas has been commendable, entering the championship series with a remarkable 314-92-2 overall record across seven seasons. This season, the Longhorns stand at 54-11, achieving their second consecutive 50-win season under his leadership. A win against Texas Tech on June 4 would tie the record for the most wins in a season, while two victories in the championship series would set a new single-season record for White.
Overall, Mike White’s journey from New Zealand to becoming a successful coach in American softball serves as an inspiring narrative, underscoring resilience and determination in pursuit of excellence in sports.