Georgia Tech hired a new volunteer assistant coach, one who probably is comfortable enough financially to work as the volunteer.

That would be Matt White, and not the one who has come into money recently. We’re talking about the Matt White who signed with the Devil Rays in 1996 as a draft loophole free agent. White was the Giants’ first-round pick (seventh overall), but was declared a free agent on a technicality (as were three other players, Travis Lee, John Patterson and Bobby Seay) and signed with Tampa Bay. His bonus was for $10.2 million, still the largest bonus for any player involved in the draft, though because White was a free agent he didn’t technically sign as a drafted player.

White’s professional career got off to a rough start thanks to back problems, and shoulder surgery in 2001 derailed a career that peaked at Triple-A Durham in 2000.

White, BA’s 1996 High School Player of the Year, was represented as a player by the Scott Boras Corporation, and Tech has a good relationship with Boras as well, with past Tech greats such as Mark Teixeira and Jason Varitek having Boras as their agents. White had committed to Tech out of a Pennsylvania high school.

White’s main coaching duty will be working with Tech’s outfielders.

“Matt was a high draft pick that is currently in school trying to get a college degree because he wants to be a college baseball coach,” Yellow Jackets coach Danny Hall said. “I think he’s going to bring a lot of experience and enthusiasm to our program and we are excited to have him in the program.”

Over the last year, White has served as the summer pitching coach and community coach for the Milton High baseball team in Alpharetta, Ga.

“It’s great to finally be in a Georgia Tech uniform,” White said. “I had the opportunity coming out of high school to attend Georgia Tech, but the professional avenue came available and I had to take it at the time. I’m just glad that Coach Hall was gracious enough to give me the opportunity to get my coaching career started at Georgia Tech, and I’m very excited about it.”