By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
@tortreports on Instagram
Jamal White knows a thing or two about Xs and Os.
As a longtime assistant coach in the South Jersey football scene, he surely has had enough experience to be the head man.
This offseason, an opportunity to be the leader of a highly respected program finally arose — and he couldn’t pass that up.
White was recently named the new head coach of the two-time defending Group 4 state champions, Winslow Township High. He succeeds Bill Belton, who guided the Eagles to an unprecedented 42-9 record across four seasons. Belton left this spring to become the new head coach at St. Augustine Prep.
“It wasn’t just a matter of him stepping down. It definitely was an opportunity being here, but it’s an opportunity to be a head coach,” White explained. “I was putting feelers out there and this is where my feet landed. You know, God works in different ways. Other opportunities didn’t present themselves, but this one did, so I took advantage of it.
“Obviously, they’ve been successful the last couple of years, so that was a no-brainer. Kudos to all the guys before us, coach (Mike) McBride, Kenny Scott, Bell Belton — all of those guys have done a great job here, and there are a number of others.”
A 1998 Triton graduate, White was previously an assistant at Highland, Timber Creek and Woodbury. In his most recent stint as the offensive coordinator at Woodbury, he helped direct the Thundering Herd to the 2022 Group 1 state championship, which was the first Group 1 overall state title in history, as the NJSIAA introduced group state champions that season.
Winslow will have a completely revamped roster this fall, as star quarterback Jalen Parker transferred to Gloucester Catholic, and other big-time starters from last year’s championship team transferred out as well. The new-look Eagles will get plenty of tests, as they go up against the likes of Glassboro, St. Augustine Prep, Atlantic City, Kingsway and Washington Township, among others. Both Glassboro and Washington Township won state championships last season.
“Beyond the championships, records, and accolades he has, what stands out most is he is a man of God, an educator, a mentor and a leader of young men,” Winslow athletic director Tyshema Lane said of White, who will also start this fall as an inclusion teacher at Winslow. “He understands that football is not just about wins and losses — it is about discipline, accountability, character and preparing student-athletes for life beyond the field. I’m excited to be a supporter of him and see what our student-athletes will be and earn under his leadership.”
After taking a year off from coaching last fall, White said he knew he couldn’t be away from the game any longer. He knows he has much more to give back.
“I missed it,” White said. “Honestly, the appealing part about being here is the opportunity to give back to the community, program and school of Winslow. I really want to come in and have an impact on everything — not just the football program.”
