Just two months after being named the new head football coach at North Jackson (Ala.) High School, David McKinney has resigned. North Jackson principal Sam Houston has confirmed Monday afternoon that McKinney stepped down, citing family reasons.

McKinney was an all-state quarterback at Stevenson (Ala.) High School, which later merged with Bridgeport to form North Jackson in 1988.

McKinney, who had been the head coach at Class 3A Gordo (Ala.) the past six seasons, where he compiled a 52-22 overall record, was given the job over 20 other applicants in part because of his ties to the area. He took over for Shawn Peek, who stepped down in early January after five years as the Chiefs' coach.

"He had officially started working full time with the team February 4 and driving back home on the weekends to be with his wife and two kids," Houston said. "He said his wife wasn't going to be able to transfer her job for a while, so he just felt like he had to stay closer to them.

"I'm stunned. We'll just have to pick up the pieces and start the search over again."

The Chiefs were scheduled to begin spring practice next Monday afternoon.