Anthony White received approval of employment by the Temple City Unified School District at a Wednesday night board meeting. White will join the social science department.
White was hired earlier this year to replace Randy Backus as the Rams head varsity football coach. White previously taught two years of AP U.S. history and economics at Rosemead High. His official assignment begins Sept. 1, according to the school board agenda posted on the district’s Website.
White sounded excited when reached by phone Thursday morning.
“It’s incredible to be closer to the boys,” he said. “I used to teach AP honors history, economics and that’s pretty much what I’ll be teaching (at Temple City).
“It’s great to teach at a school district like Temple City where the academics prestige is there. it helps me in my professional career on and off the field.”
White will be part of a teaching staff that also includes Backus, who teaches English and previously coached the football program in one capacity or another for over a decade. White, however, said there will be no awkwardness.
“Randy’s a great guy and I’ve talked to him throughout this whole off season, talking about the guys on the team,” White said. “I don’t think it’ll be awkward at all.”
White went through a rigorous interviewing process where he had to make a 30-minute presentation in front of the TCUSD superintendent, asst. superintendent, TCHS principal and the head of the social science department.
White, who prepped at Rosemead High, will not only leave behind his colleagues but also his younger brother and Panthers junior running back Matt Fregoso.
“I’m really sad about that but we raised him tough,” White said. “My mom and my sister and my other brother we’re a close family. We’re together every weekend.
“I’ll make sure that his grades are up to par and does what he has to do. I’ve been coaching him and teaching him since he was born. One semester without me shouldn’t make that much of a difference.”
In other news, Temple City baseball coach Barry Bacon and Backus both were tenured by the school board, according to the agenda highlighting the approval of certificated personnel.
