Austin, Micah White continue legacy of grandfather Tim Warren

Micah White and Austin White are the grandsons of former Milan High principal Tim Warren, who also coached under John Tucker.

Being the grandson of former Milan assistant football coach and eventual principal Tim Warren meant that purple ran deep in their veins of the White brothers.

Through the past 10 years the White family has been stationary on the field for Milan football. It started with Austin White and then Cannan White and now junior Micah White continues that Bulldog legacy.

“My passion for football started with my grandfather,” Austin said. “He was someone we idolized growing up. We knew from the start that Milan football was just something that we were going to do.”

But more than just Micah White being on the field, Austin White is an assistant coach under Wade Comer for the high school football team, following in his grandfather’s footsteps. And he gets the opportunity to coach his brother – Micah.

“I have gone through it once with Canaan, so I got used to it,” Austin said. “But to see Micah’s growth from when he was younger and stiff as a wooden board to now, that passion has grown.”

Warren was a 1974 graduate of Milan High, and he was a member of the 1971 state championship football team under John Tucker. He returned to Milan in 1980 and joined Tucker’s staff for 15 years.

“Growing up, I remember watching Avery Williamson, Christian Coleman, Jabronski Gilbert, Zach Ryan and I remember going to every game, sitting in the stands that were packed every game,” Austin said. “It was tradition.”

Growing up, football was a fixation of the White brothers from watching the Bulldogs on Friday nights to getting to play through the pee-wee leagues.

Micah remembers the early days of football and having his grandfather at those games.

“I would come out of a game even on the pee-wee level, and tell me that I had to get low, have to hit him here or help me with my stance,” Micah said. “He used to always play a big role in guiding me in my football career at a young age.”

As Austin grew up, he knew that he wanted to wear the purple and white and represent the school that his grandfather had played at, coached at and became principal of during his tenure at Milan.

“It meant the world to me to play for Milan,” Austin said. “I played pee-wee growing up with the different sponsors, but when I got to sixth grade, I got to wear Milan across my chest. It was something I have dreamt of growing up.”

When Austin graduated in 2019, he immediately stepped into a coach role as he continued his education at UT Martin, getting his degree in education.

Austin started coaching his brother Canaan, but his role on the coaching staff has grown over the years as Micah came onto the high school football scene.

“Being a Milan football player meant everything to me just like my brothers and my poppa,” Micah said. “It showed the pride in my family. Walking out on game days and seeing the support, there is nothing like it.”

Austin tried to pass down his passion for not only football but for Milan that he learned through the years from his grandfather.

“My grandfather was a big proponent, and people underestimate how much of a driving force that he was,” Austin said. “I never gave up and gave 110 percent. You are going to get my 110 percent, and I see that now from Micah.”

While at practice, Austin lets some of the other coaches work more with Micah, as he tries not to be too hard on him.

But after practice is over, Austin and Micah are always discussing parts of the game or how this could be different in a game or practice.

“They have taught me how to be tough,” Micah said. “Getting into fights growing up, they made me tough. They also showed me little details because I have been coached by both of them.”

But Micah said he does have to watch being on the practice field and calling him Austin instead of Coach White.

Austin sees himself in Micah and the way he plays. Austin also knows that his brother is his own hardest critic on the field.

“We were raised to do whatever you are asked to do and give it 110 percent,” Austin said. “I know whatever is asked of him, Micah is going to do. And he isn’t going to complain. He is a clone of me, but he is more athletic than I was. When you watch him on the field, you don’t really have to tell him what needs to be done, he knows.”

Over the past couple of years, Austin has gotten to enjoy success on the field with Micah as the duo went to the 2024 Class 2A state championship and reached the 2025 Class 2A semifinals before losing to Huntingdon by one point.

“If we are at home, Austin will try to help me if there is something that needs to be fixed,” Micah said. “Not a lot of people get to go to state as a freshman, and then play and almost make it last year. Getting those moments with him is really cool.”

But that bond of getting to experience Milan football and knowing that their grandfather is watching over them makes it even more special.

“We talked about the Milan success growing up, and we always wanted to do it for my grandfather,” Austin said. “It is special to have Micah around. My grandfather was never able to go and win it, so we want to do it for him.”

Micah is just a junior this season with two more potential postseason runs on the horizon, and the brothers want to make the most of it and continue the success of Milan football.

Michael Odom is the sports editor for the Mirror-Exchange, Weakley County Press, Brownsville States-Graphic and Fayette Falcon. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @GCSportsWriter. Reach him by email at michaelodom@milanmirrorexchange.com.