White takes over the duties from Brent Coates, who remains as head men's soccer coach. Both head coaches will have their own assistant coach.
"It's been something we've needed to do for a while," said athletic director Dr. Norris Russell. "Having one coach over two team sports is not the best situation. We're happy to have a man like Mike White here in place. He has a lot of experience with women's collegiate soccer and he's a good, stable man. This move will help both our women's and our men's programs."
White came to OBU two years ago, but has been interested in the program for much longer.
"It has been a long time coming for me," White said. "I've wanted to be a part of OBU soccer since the program began. It's a sweet time. I fell honored to take over the program."
Having been an assistant coach at OBU for two seasons, White already has built a relationship with the players.
"The support I've felt from our girls has been great," White said. "One of the reasons I wanted to be the head coach was because of how receptive they have been to my coaching style."
White, who was a four-year player and captain at Samford University from 1988-92, was head women's soccer coach at Montreat College for five seasons. He also coached both men and women at Stratford Academy in Macon, Ga.
White also is a certified United States Soccer Federation coach with a national ‘A' Level Coaching License. A graduate of Samford, he holds a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's degree from the University of Alabama-Birmingham in sport administration.
He also spent two years as a youth sports developer in Cambodia and Uzbekistan as part of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board.
Alfredo Hernandez attended both USAO and Southwestern Oklahoma State, graduating in 2002 with a degree in recreational leadership. Heis a graduate of Clinton High School. Hernandez has coached keepers at Carl Albert High School and the Midwest City Soccer Club and holds a National "D" Coaching license.
Maira Negri returns to Bison Hill as assistant coach of the women's soccer team. She was a NAIA Scholar Athlete and a cum laude graduate at OBU with a degree in exercise science. She was honorable mention All-America in 2005and holds the OBU records for career shutouts, career saves, single season saves and saves in a game. She earned a master's degree in sports administration in 2009 from Eastern New Mexico State. Negri has coached Columbus Crew soccer camps, the Thunder Bay Chill in Canada and at ENMU. She is married to men's assistant coach Marcos Silva and enjoys music, movies, travel and surfing.
Marcos Silva returns to his alma mater this season as assistant soccer coach for men's soccer. He graduated from OBU in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science. He added a master's degree in sports administration from Eastern New Mexico in 2009. He has played in Belgium, Swaziland and Canada since leaving OBU, with posts with the Thunder Bay Chill and Rockford Rampage as well. At OBU, Silva was All-Conference and holds records for season assists, career goals and career points. He was an All-American at Oklahoma Wesleyan prior to transferring to OBU. Silva is married to women's assistant coach Maira Negri. He enjoys surfing, movies, travel and watching soccer.
