 John T. " J.T. " White ( July 10 , 1920 – November 21 , 2005 ) was a college football assistant coach , and a second @-@ team 1947 College Football All @-@ American center who played for national championship teams at both the University of Michigan and Ohio State University . White also played basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes men 's basketball team . Although White was drafted to play professional football , he chose to pursue a career as an assistant football coach for both the Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions football teams . He served as an assistant coach for a national champion at Michigan and three undefeated and untied seasons at Penn State . White served in the United States Army during World War II causing a break in his collegiate education . 
