Missing former football coach Jon’al White found safe weeks before Christmas (2025)

Jon’al White’s family says they’ve received the greatest gift of all this Christmas—a miracle. The former coach was found safe after more than a year of being missing.

The Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office located White on Friday, Dec. 6, wandering along Texas 304. He is currently in the hospital receiving care.

On Thursday, Dec. 5, deputies responded to a call about a man walking on the roadway in the 7400 block of Texas 304. Initially, White was unresponsive and unwilling to identify himself, leading deputies to transport him to the Gonzales County Jail for his safety.

While White remained verbally unresponsive, a search of his belongings revealed his identification. Staff turned to Google, where a search of White’s name led them to several reports about his disappearance in June 2023

What happened?

In a previous interview, Jon’al White’s family shared their heartbreak and hope during his year-long disappearance.

The family of Jon’al White, a 34-year-old former high school football coach from New Orleans, was desperately seeking information about his whereabouts. Jon’al was last seen in June 2023 when he boarded a Greyhound bus from Ruston, Louisiana, to Houston, Texas, in search of job opportunities.

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Jon’al’s sister, Reginea White, shared the family’s difficult journey since his disappearance. Despite knowing he made it to Houston, Jon’al’s exact whereabouts remain unknown.

“We were in constant communication via Facebook Messenger since he didn’t have a phone. He had a laptop and used Wi-Fi to stay in touch. But all communication stopped suddenly in mid-July,” Reginea explained. “It’s like he vanished without a trace.”

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A few months later the family discovered some activity from Jon’al’s bank account in Missouri City, Texas, but the account was eventually overdrafted and closed, further complicating the search. Reginea described Jon’al as a “big teddy bear” who is very loving, particularly towards his nieces, nephews, and siblings.

Jon’al is known for his quiet and kind demeanor, played football in high school and college in New Orleans. He was completing his bachelor’s degree before relocating to Houston.

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“He wouldn’t hurt anyone,” she said. “He’s very athletic, having played football in high school and college, and he was working as a football coach before heading to Houston to find a new job.”

Despite having no family in Texas, Jon’al decided to relocate there, leaving his family puzzled and heartbroken.

The impact of Jon’al’s disappearance has been tremendous, with his family describing it as a nightmare they can’t wake up from.

“Our mother is especially devastated. We were all so close, and his disappearance has left a huge void in our family, making it hard to celebrate holidays and special occasions,” Reginea shared. “This situation has torn us apart, especially during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, which he always came home for. What’s the reason to celebrate holidays when we don’t know where our brothers is? This last year was different, we weren’t really able to celebrate because he’s out there.”

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As the search continues, the White family remains hopeful that they will soon reunite with Jon’al and urges anyone with information to come forward.

“We just want him home safe,” Reginea pleaded. “If anyone knows anything, please help us bring Jon’al back.”

The family has made multiple trips to Houston, distributing flyers and speaking with locals in hopes of finding any leads. They have even hired a private investigator, but so far, no substantial information has surfaced.

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and Houston Police Department are handling the case, and anyone with information is urged to contact them.

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