John McKenzie brings more than three decades of coaching experience to a Kemper County football program two years removed from a state championship. 

McKenzie learned of the opening through a former player who had knowledge of the coaching vacancy during his time coaching at Alcorn State University.

“That got the ball rolling, and they contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in coaching in high school,” McKenzie, 54, said. “They said they had a good program, they just needed some discipline and some structure.”

McKenzie played quarterback at Jackson State University from 1981-85 and passed for over 5,000 yards and 43 touchdowns. He was inducted in the Jackson State Hall of Fame in 2004.

McKenzie replaces Josh Pulphus, who went 3-9 last season, his lone year as head coach at the school. McKenzie’s enjoyed numerous head stops at the collegiate level. He began his coaching career in 1986 when he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama State University. McKenzie was head coach at Delaware State University for four seasons. He also served as offensive coordinator at Jackson State, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina A&T University and Alcorn State. 

McKenzie, initially who retired from coaching in 2015, said there are few differences between coaching high school and college student-athletes.

“When you’re accustomed to dealing with 18 and 22-year-old men who realize they’re on a $30,000 scholarship, the challenges are a little bit different. In high school, you know, you don’t get a chance to spend that much time with these kids,” McKenzie said. “And a lot of times, they have a lot of other things on their mind, a lot of other things they want to do. So, I have to make the adjustment. 

“I know they can’t do as much as we accomplish on a college level. I have some good assistant coaches who are accustomed to high school football, and they know what it takes. They know the atmosphere, and they’ve been coaching me up because I have a college mentality, but I know we can’t put everything on them that an 18 to 22-year-old man can handle.” 

McKenzie said he and his new players are off to a good start, and he’s adjusting to the high school game. Kemper County opens its season at home Aug. 17 against Northeast Lauderdale.  

“I’m having fun with it,” he said. “The kids show up, and they work extremely hard, and they’re buying into the system. We’re going to be committed to discipline, conditioning and character.”