August 28, 2024

Griffin tabs White as new pitching coach, Kolpien new graduate assistant

Carson-Newman head baseball coach Tom Griffin has announced the hiring of Jason White to be the program’s new pitching coach and Kade Kolpien as the new graduate assistant coach.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman head baseball coach Tom Griffin has announced the hiring of Jason White to be the program's new pitching coach and Kade Kolpien as the new graduate assistant coach.

White brings plenty of playing experience to Mossy Creek, spending his first four collegiate seasons at Belmont Abbey, before transferring to Duke to finish his playing career in 2023.

"I'm really excited," White said. "This is my first opportunity to be part of a legit college staff. I had the opportunity to coach in the Appalachian league and I think that was really big for me in terms of being able to transition from a player to a coach. It's definitely a little bit different being on the coaching side of it but its been a lot of fun so far and I'm excited to get after it with these guys."

With the Crusaders, White played four seasons and pitched 209 2/3 innings over 53 total appearances. The 2021 season featured career-marks for White. He tossed a pair of complete game shutouts that season and posted a career-best 3.04 earned run-average. In 2022, the right-hander pitched 96 innings with a 4.69 earned run average and a career-high eight wins. He struck out 234 batters and sported a career 4.25 earned run average at Belmont Abbey.

Pursuing his Master of Management Studies at Duke University in 2023, White pitched in 26 games making nine starts with a 2-3 record. The two-time all-conference pitcher had a 5.85 ERA over 47 innings of work. He started his Blue Devils career with 12 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.

"You learn a lot over five years of playing," White said. "I think the big thing for me is with the redshirt, I didn't have to sit out a year. So, I played for five years and didn't have to sit on the side for a year. Just being able to see both sides of college baseball. You get to see the DII level and then the power five level and see the difference and learn some new stuff from the coaches at that level. It's been a really good opportunity to see both sides of the college baseball spectrum and see what I can bring to the table this year."

After his playing days, White began coaching at Coastal athletics where he coached multiple youth travel teams and offered private lessons. This past summer, White was the pitching coach for the Burlington Sock Puppets, an Appalachian Collegiate Summer league team.

Kolpien played five seasons at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. Playing both catcher and outfield, he helped the Trojans win two regular-season conference championships and two conference tournament championships, while also making three regional appearances. In 2023-24, Kolpien was named to the Crossroads League Leadership team.

He has experience working with the World Baseball Academy in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has also served as a kids camp volunteer, directing more than 100 kids to help develop their baseball and life skills.