West Virginia gave Pat White the kind of sendoff that fit his place in program history on Saturday, retiring his No. 5 jersey before the season opener against Coastal Carolina.
That made White just the seventh player in Mountaineers history to receive the honor. It also brought him back in front of the fans who watched him turn West Virginia into a national force from 2005 through 2008.
White’s résumé speaks loudly enough on its own. He finished 35-8 as the starting quarterback, became the first college quarterback to start and win four bowl games, and led the Mountaineers to victories in the Sugar, Gator, Fiesta and Meineke Car Care bowls.
His 4,480 career rushing yards still stand out as one of the best totals ever posted by a college quarterback.
By the time his career ended, White owned Big East records for total offense with 10,529 yards and touchdowns responsible for with 103. He also went 7-2 against ranked opponents. Those numbers are why his jersey is going up, but they only tell part of the story.
White was the engine of those West Virginia teams. He had the speed to turn an option play into a touchdown, the poise to handle the biggest moments and the toughness to absorb the hits that came with so many carries.
His connection with coach Rich Rodriguez and running back Steve Slaton helped create one of the most explosive offenses of that era. Now White is back in Morgantown working as an assistant quarterbacks coach and assistant to the head coach under Rodriguez.
Saturday’s ceremony carried extra weight because of that reunion. West Virginia wore white uniforms and asked fans to wear white in White’s honor. The school will not officially take No. 5 out of circulation until the end of the season, which allows fifth-year receiver Jaden Bray to finish his college career with the number.
After that, No. 5 will belong only to West Virginia history. White becomes the seventh Mountaineers player to have his number retired.
The Miami Dolphins drafted White in the second round in 2009. His NFL career never matched the level he reached in Morgantown, but that did not change his standing with the program.
For a whole generation of West Virginia fans, White was the program. He delivered signature wins, helped put the Mountaineers on the national stage and gave them an identity opponents had trouble copying.
Now the number tied to that era will never be worn by another West Virginia player. White is back to help shape what comes next, but Saturday made sure his past in Morgantown will always have a permanent place.
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