Sheldon White

Former Detroit Lions vice president of player personnel and interim general manager Sheldon White was hired by Michigan State as a program consultant.

(AP)

EAST LANSING - Michigan State announced Friday that it hired former Detroit Lions vice president of player personnel and interim general manager Sheldon White as a program consultant.

"We're extremely excited about the addition of Sheldon to our program," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said in a press release. "He has a vast amount of experience at the highest level of football. We can't wait to work with him and gain insight from his knowledge and expertise, while at the same time introducing him to our players and coaches. I think Sheldon will provide a great benefit to our program."

White's son, Cody White, is a 2017 three-star wide receiver from Walled Lake Western who committed to Michigan State in March.

Sheldon White spent three of his six NFL seasons as a player with the Lions (1990-92) and was hired as a scout for the team in 1997. He was named the director of pro personnel in 2000, the vice president of pro personnel in 2009 and the interim general manager in November when the Lions fired Martin Mayhew. In January the Lions hired Bob Quinn, the New England Patriots' director of pro scouting, as their new general manager and White was fired in February after 19 seasons with the organization.

"In working with the Lions, Coach Dantonio and I have been building our relationship over the years," White said in the Michigan State press release. "I had some interns that worked with him come over and work with me in the NFL. From a Michigan State perspective, it's just great what he's done with the program. They've won a ton of games the past few years and they're running on all cylinders right now. He's just a thorough, detailed guy, and when you're in this profession, you appreciate that as well. The college game is different from the pro game in a lot of ways, especially the recruiting part of it, so I'm interested to learn a little bit more on how he's doing his business.

"From the other perspective, whatever Coach Dantonio needs me to do, I'm all in with him and his entire staff. Michigan State has a great program and I'm looking forward to joining in and giving whatever insight I can provide. Anywhere I can help out and wherever Coach Dantonio needs me to go, that's where I'll be.

"One of the main things I'm excited about is being around the players and getting a chance to work with them. I hope I can add something that will maximize their performance and possibly get them ready for the National Football League."