Danny White reconnecting with Joe Germaine to help Mesa Mountain View football
Danny White, one of the greatest athletes in Arizona history, has achieved so much in his life.
He led Arizona State to the first three Fiesta Bowl championships as quarterback from 1971-73. He led the Dallas Cowboys to three straight NFC championship games. He coached the Arizona Rattlers to two Arena Football League championships in his first six seasons.
And now he will be helping coach Mesa Mountain View High School football.
On Thursday, the former Mesa Westwood star football, basketball and baseball player agreed to help head coach Joe Germaine at Mountain View.
His title will be director of player development.
"I've known the Germaine family for a long time," said White, who coached Germaine when he was quarterback of the Rattlers and the Utah Blaze in the AFL. "I would not do this if not for Joe. He called me. A lot of people have called me. But Joe called and I just felt this was a great thing.
"I always wanted to coach high school football. It’s been a dream of mine."
Germaine got to know more about White the man than just the coach during Germaine's playing days with the Rattlers and Blaze.
"Just my time with him I got to see what a high character guy he is," Germaine said. "Just beyond football, what he adds is tremendous. He's a great role model."
White, who does Dallas Cowboys broadcasts as a color analyst for Compass Media Networks, said he likes the chance to be able to shape kids' lives and get them ready for the real world.
"This is more than coaching football," he said. "Joe is responsible for the Xs and Os and stuff on the field. My responsibility goes beyond football. I always wanted to be in a position to make a difference in the lives of young men and women. Stuff they have to go through the next 20 years. It's mind-boggling what they have to put up with and go through. To be successful, you have to find something you love to do and surround yourself with like-minded people enjoying doing stuff. It's not measured in dollars and cents but maybe in a way that's more valuable."
White is far removed from his NFL days as quarterback of the Cowboys. But he noted how kids easily can find out who he is these days.
"They can Google me," he said.
Germaine said, "Everybody knows who Danny White is."
"He was named the greatest athlete of the century in Arizona," Germaine said. "Growing up, I've known who he was. Over time as a player for him, I got know what he's about."
White said he's got an open slate, so he's ready for whatever Germaine would like him to do in the offseason workouts leading up to spring football in May.
Germaine said White's vast knowledge of the quarterback position will be valuable, but recognized that White is in tune with every position on the football field and will help in every way.
"I'm trying to get them before they develop a bunch of bad habits that you don't have to unteach," White said. "I hope to do a lot of teaching. Not just football skills. If I had a chance of making them NFL superstars or better husbands and fathers, I will take the latter. I want to help kids who have a lot of pressure on them and how to handle that stuff. Football is just a vehicle."
To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Danny White reconnecting with Joe Germaine to help Mountain View football
