David McKinney is coming home. The former Stevenson (Ala.) High School all-state quarterback, who played in two state championship games there, is returning to the town to take over the program at North Jackson, pending school board approval.
McKinney, who had been the head coach at Class 3A Gordo (Ala.) the past six seasons, where he compiled a 52-22 overall record, will be introduced to the Chiefs today. North Jackson principal Sam Houston said McKinney’s ties to the area helped elevate him past about 20 other applicants.
Houston had narrowed the list to three finalists, with the other two being head coaches at south Alabama programs.
“David and the other two really separated themselves as the front-runners, and with David knowing the area there was a trust factor that we already felt good about and knew people in the community would feel good about,” Houston said.
“He had expressed an interest in the job before when we had an opening, but we just weren’t able to work it out then. We were really glad when he said he was interested again this time, and we made sure we worked out the details to get him here. The fact that he wants to be here was the biggest factor in making sure we got him.”