Paul W. Bryant High Taps John McKenzie As Next Football Coach

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education on Tuesday voted to approve hiring longtime collegiate coach John McKenzie as the next head football coach at Paul W. Bryant High School.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

The announcement comes after McKenzie was named the head coach at Murphy High School in June 2022, before the 6A Panthers finished 2-7 on the year. The hire also is one of the first after the City of Tuscaloosa announced plans last year to increase its funding for TCS athletics to improve coaching salaries and attract higher-caliber coaches.

As Patch previously reported, former head coach Eldrick Hill did not see his contract renewed by the Board of Education after the Stampede finished the 2022 campaign with a 1-9 record.

ALSO READ: Column | The Tragedy Of Paul W. Bryant High Football

Over nine seasons, Hill led Bryant High to a 36-55 overall record and three playoff appearances — the last being the 2019 season that saw the Stampede end the year 7-4 with a first round playoff loss.

McKenzie's most notable achievement to date at the high school level came in 2021, when his team at Vigor High School won a 4A state title. During his two seasons at Vigor, McKenzie posted a 19-6 record and also served as the school's athletic director.

As AL.com reported, McKenzie was placed on administrative leave for undisclosed reasons in February 2022 and the Mobile County School System opted against renewing his contract over the summer prior to McKenzie taking the job at Murphy.

A native of Miami, McKenzie's bonafides include his playing days as a quarterback at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, where he would go on to be named to the school's All-Century team and sports Hall of Fame.

As a coach, he has spent most of his time at the collegiate level, with assistant stops at numerous HBCUs, including: his alma mater, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, North Carolina A&T and Alcorn State. His only head coaching job at college level saw him lead Delaware State for three seasons, compiling a 7-26 record.

Turning around the Bryant High football program will be a tall order for McKenzie, with only five schools of the 57 in AHSAA Class 6A having fewer football wins than the Stampede since 2003.

Tuscaloosa City Schools says it will introduce McKenzie at a press conference in the Bryant High gymnasium on Wednesday.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.