Let The Search Begin

MISD Posts Position For McVey’s Replacement

McKinney ISD athletic coordinator Keith Garinger said the search for McKinney High’s football coach/athletic coordinator heated up hours after the position came available.

“I had several inquiries Saturday,” Garinger said. “I think it will be an attractive position.”

Garinger said he posted the position for Todd McVey’s replacement early Monday morning. McVey was reassigned Friday after four years and a 17-24 record, including a 4-6 clip in 2006.

Garinger declined to comment on any of the early candidates, saying it is too soon in the process for that. He did admit the inquires came from outside MISD. Garinger said he will honor a law that states a district must post the job for 10 days before it conducts interviews.

Garinger expects to have the coach hired and in school for the start of second semester Jan. 8.

Garinger said several MISD assistants are interested in the position. However, all signs point toward the district favoring an experienced and successful head coach.  

“Preference will be someone who has head coach and coordinator experience,” Garinger said.

The last three MISD football coaches hired have come from within the district. McVey was a defensive coordinator at McKinney, while McKinney North’s Shawn Pratt and McKinney Boyd’s Don Drake were promoted from McKinney and North, respectively.

Rusty Dowling’s hire prior to the 2001 season was the last time MISD found a football coach outside the district.

How does Garinger hope to attract a proven coach to a program that has failed to compile back-to-back winning seasons since 1996-97 and gone 25-36 since Ron Poe left in 2000?

“The school district is the biggest selling point,” Garinger said. “There are great people here and there is great support within the community.”

A look at potential candidates with McKinney ties...

Ron Poe: Probably a big stretch. In fact, he said it’s "probably 98 percent out of the realm of possibilty." But, really, who has a better track record and is more familiar with McKinney football? Poe is a McKinney legend. He coached McKinney to the school’s first state championship in 1979 and compiled 222 wins. Both his sons also live in McKinney.

Tony Tademy (TCU): Tademy was McVey’s defensive coordinator for two seasons (2003-04). Sources say Tademy expressed interest in the McKinney Boyd position two years ago before accepting the linebackers job at TCU.

Bill Poe (McKinney North), Matt Poe  (Pottsboro): They’ve got the name. Their father, Ron Poe, said, "I’ve got two sons I’d love to see get it." Both Bill and Matt played for the McKinney Lions. Bill showed what he can do as McKinney North’s offensive coordinator this season, guiding a prolific North offense to 41.5 points per game. Matt, the former Sherman OC, went 7-3 in his first year as a head coach at Class 2A Pottsboro.

Randy Patzkowski (Denton High): Former offensive coordinator under Coach Poe. Patzkowski led Lake Dallas to two playoff berths and has spent the past two seasons at Denton High. Patzkowski’s spread offense could work well quarterback Zach Lee and receivers Daniel Brasch and Matt Lipka.

Rick Gagarin (Melissa): Another former McKinney assistant who is having great success. Gagarin and Melissa went 7-3 in the regular season this year and beat Gunter 19-14 in the first round.

Greg Winder (McKinney): He’s only been at McKinney for one season. Winder’s offensive approach ignited a lackluster offense from 2005. Winder comes from a coaching background. His father, Dick, is the quarterbacks coach at TCU.

A.J. Uland (McKinney): McKinney’s longest tenured coordinator. Uland’s defenses have thrived on big plays and turnovers. He’s also coached four Division I-A  players -- Lorenzo Jones, J.D. Dowling, Brandon Ogletree, Eddie Morgan -- in the past three years.

Cedric Mack: Mack, McKinney’s assistant principal, was rumored to be a finalist for the McKinney Boyd position. He was also a finalist for the AD position which went to Garinger.

Kenny Duck (McKinney North): Duck did wonders to the North defense in two years. He turned what was a pretty weak unit into one of the best in the area.

Travis Smith (Paris): Former McKinney assistant and current Paris OC. Sources say he’d jump at the opportunity to guide the Lions.