MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A significant chapter in West Virginia University football history was revisited on Saturday when the school honored Pat White by retiring his iconic No. 5 jersey. This momentous occasion took place prior to the Mountaineers' season opener against Coastal Carolina, marking a celebration of White's remarkable achievements as a quarterback two decades ago.
The atmosphere was electric as fans filled the stands wearing white T-shirts and jerseys, while the Mountaineers donned their traditional white road uniforms, reminiscent of the attire worn during White's final home game on a snowy December night in 2006. The ceremony served as a tribute to a player whose impact on the program is still felt today.
During his tenure at West Virginia, White established himself as a premier dual-threat quarterback, leading the team to a 35-8 record as a starter. His legacy includes being the only quarterback in NCAA history to win four bowl games, with notable victories such as the Sugar Bowl against Georgia following the 2005 season and the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma in 2008.
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez, who recruited White out of Daphne, Alabama, reflected on the quarterback's enduring influence. "Twenty years later, they’re still talking about what he did and what his teammates did," Rodriguez stated, highlighting the lasting legacy of White's contributions to the program. Rodriguez emphasized that White's commitment to teamwork and success was evident throughout his career.
Now serving as West Virginia's assistant quarterbacks coach, White remains closely connected to the program. He expressed pride in his role, stating that his journey has shown many young athletes from lower Alabama that there are opportunities beyond the traditional powerhouses of Alabama and Auburn football.
White's jersey retirement marks him as the seventh player in West Virginia football history to receive this honor. His rise to prominence began during his freshman season when he stepped in for an injured Adam Bednarik against No. 19 Louisville. In a thrilling game that went into triple overtime, White led the Mountaineers to a stunning 46-44 victory, securing his position as the starting quarterback.
Throughout his career, White achieved the remarkable feat of surpassing 6,000 passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards, making him one of the most versatile quarterbacks in NCAA history. He recorded four games with over 200 rushing yards and averaged an impressive 6.5 yards per carry, with his 4,480 rushing yards ranking third among Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport, White was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. As he reflected on the jersey retirement ceremony, White expressed excitement about sharing the experience with his parents, who have not been back to Morgantown in a while. "For me, personally, it will be excellent for me to see my parents get back to Morgantown and experience Mountaineer Madness again," he said.
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