Larry Strain Retires at Handley, Chris White Named Tigers Next Head Football Coach

ROANOKE, AL – Legendary Handley head coach Larry Strain has officially retired after a decade at the helm of the Tigers football program.  The announcement was made Thursday via Roanoke City Schools’ social media platforms.

The Randolph County High and University of Alabama alum led the Tigers to a combined 84-36 record including four region titles, a 48-15 mark in region play and a pair of state championships over the past ten seasons.  

Chris White, who has served as Handley’s defensive coordinator and currently leads the Handley softball team, has been named as Strain’s replacement.  White served as the head football coach at White Plains from 2015 to 2018 posting a 4-36 record before reuniting with Strain at Handley.

Strain’s decorated coaching career includes state titles in multiple sports and schools. He led Woodland’s girls’ basketball team to back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014 before making the move to Handley, where he captured football championships in 2016 and 2020. Additionally, Strain guided Woodland to state runner-up finishes in football in 2004 and 2006.

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Strain also coached Handley’s boys’ basketball team for two seasons while serving as an assistant girls hoops coach under his daughter, Courtney Strain Screws, for an additional three years. He contributed to Handley athletics as the Tigers athletic director for five years.

Over his 27-year football coaching career, Strain holds a record of 186-122 with stints at Woodland, White Plains, and Handley. His teams made 21 playoff appearances in 26 seasons and claimed six region titles.  

White is no stranger to stepping into Strain’s shoes. After coaching at White Plains for a single season, Strain handed the reins to White, who remained there for four years. White later joined Handley in 2019 and played a pivotal role during the Tigers’ 2020 state championship run.

Roanoke City Schools extended their appreciation to Strain in a statement, saying, “The Handley Family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Coach Larry Strain for his exemplary leadership and unwavering dedication to the Handley Tigers. His commitment to the success and growth of Handley athletics has left an indelible mark on the program.”

For Handley High School, a new era begins under Chris White, but Strain’s legacy will continue to resonate across the program and beyond.