McKinney High School has hired a new varsity football coach.
On Monday night, McKinney ISD held a board of trustees meeting and officially announced New Braunfels Canyon High School’s Nate Leonard, a McKinney High alumnus, as the Lions’ next head coach, replacing Marcus Shavers, who resigned following six years with the program.
“I couldn’t be more excited to come home and serve the wonderful community that raised me,” Leonard said in an official announcement through the McKinney ISD website. “I know what an honor it is to wear the blue and gold because I’ve done it myself (MHS Class of 2010). Our mission will be to do things better than they’ve ever been done before at McKinney High School. McKinney High School will be the most exciting place to be a high school athlete, and we will equip our student-athletes with the tools to succeed now and for the rest of their lives.”
Leonard coached one season at Canyon High School after several stops as an assistant coach throughout the state, leading the Cougars to a 7-4 record and a loss to Cedar Park in the Bi-District round of the 5A Division I playoffs. According to McKinney ISD, he was also a stalwart in the community, raising funds for the football program and helping families and children in need.
He played offensive line for McKinney and eventually went on to play at UTSA. Once his playing career was over, he coached at several high schools around the San Antonio area and had a brief stint as a graduate assistant at Duke University.
“We are thrilled that Coach Leonard has agreed to lead the McKinney High Lions,” MISD Director of Athletics Jennifer Frazier added in the official release. “As an alumnus, Coach Leonard understands the rich history of McKinney High School and is passionate about leading our student athletes. He is a fierce competitor and consistently showcases the ability to build a culture that breeds excellence and strong relationships. We are excited to welcome him home.”
This past season, McKinney went 9-3 and reached the second round of the UIL 6A Division II playoffs, where it lost to Highland Park on a field goal as time expired. The Lions have had back-to-back winning seasons after just one in their previous four.
