--- title: "From Marauder Wideout to SEC Offensive Coordinator: The Coaching Rise of Clarence McKinney" description: From a UMary athlete to Texas A&M offensive coordinator, Clarence McKinney's journey exemplifies the power of dedication and Marauder pride in achieving coaching excellence. image: https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(32).png --- [Skip to content](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/from-marauder-wideout-to-sec-offensive-coordinator-the-coaching-rise-of-clarence-mckinney#main-content) ![2x10 Marauder Football Alumni Association (2)](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hubfs/2x10%20Marauder%20Football%20Alumni%20Association%20(2).png "2x10 Marauder Football Alumni Association (2)") [Website](https://marauderfootballalumni.com/)[Membership Levels](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/-levels) --- [Business Opportunities](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marketing-branding-experience)[Events](https://marauderfootballalumni.com/group-events) ![](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(32).png?width=2000&height=1000&name=Untitled%20design%20(32).png) Marauder Alumni Hall of Fame # From Marauder Wideout to SEC Offensive Coordinator: The Coaching Rise of Clarence McKinney ![Marauder Football Alumni Association](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(51)%20copy-1.png?width=48&height=48&name=Untitled%20design%20(51)%20copy-1.png) Marauder Football Alumni Association February 9, 2026 Long before he was designing game plans in the SEC and calling plays for a Heisman Trophy winner, **Clarence McKinney** was lining up at wide receiver and quarterback for the University of Mary, helping the Marauders take their first big steps onto the national stage. Today, his journey from **UMary student-athlete (1991–93)** to **offensive coordinator at Texas A&M** is one of the most remarkable coaching stories in Marauder Football history—and a powerful example of how far a Marauder degree and work ethic can take you. ## From Houston to the High Plains A **native of Houston, Texas**, McKinney began his college football career at **Montana State University**, where he first connected with **Myron Schulz**, then an assistant coach for the Bobcats and later a Hall of Fame head coach at UMary. That relationship helped set the stage for Clarence’s next move. When McKinney transferred to the **University of Mary**, he joined a young program just beginning to discover its potential. From **1991–93**, he played **wide receiver and quarterback** for the Marauders during a formative period in school history. During his time at Mary, the program hit several major milestones: - **1991:** First **winning season** in program history - **1992:** First **conference title** - **1993:** First **NAIA playoff appearance** McKinney was right in the middle of those breakthroughs, helping lead an offense that was steadily building toward national relevance. He graduated from the University of Mary in **1994** with a **degree in elementary education**—laying the foundation for a life of teaching, coaching, and leadership. ## Building a Powerhouse in Houston High School Football Clarence’s coaching career began back home in Houston’s fiercely competitive high school football scene: - **1997–2004:** Assistant coach at **Booker T. Washington High School** - Named **Houston Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year** in **2003** - **2004–05:** Assistant at **North Shore High School**, another Houston powerhouse In **2005**, he got his first shot as a head coach: - Took over at **Jack Yates High School** - Posted a **30–8 record over three seasons (2005–08)** - Named a **Coach of the Year finalist twice** Those years in Houston high school football honed his ability to **develop players, build culture, and lead programs**—skills that would translate seamlessly to the college game. ## Jump to Division I: Houston and the Birth of an Offense In **2008**, McKinney made the jump to **NCAA Division I**: - Hired by **Kevin Sumlin** as **running backs coach at the University of Houston** - Added responsibilities as **recruiting coordinator** a year later During his four seasons at Houston: - The Cougars went **36–17** overall - Set a **school-record 13 wins in 2011** McKinney played a key role in developing explosive offenses and recruiting the kind of talent needed to compete at a high level. ## Texas A&M and the Heisman Stage When **Kevin Sumlin** took over as head coach at **Texas A&M** in **2012**, McKinney joined him in College Station as **running backs coach**. The impact was immediate: - The Aggies went **11–2** in their first SEC season - Finished **second in the conference** - Ranked **fifth in the final national poll** - Became the **only team to defeat eventual national champion Alabama** that season The offense featured a dynamic young quarterback—**Johnny Manziel**, who went on to win the **2012 Heisman Trophy**. On the heels of that breakout year, McKinney’s role expanded: - Promoted to **offensive coordinator** prior to the **2013 Cotton Bowl** His play-calling debut was a statement: - Texas A&M rolled up a **record 633 total yards** in a **41–13 rout of Big 12 co-champion Oklahoma** - Balanced attack: - **326 rushing yards** - **307 passing yards** - The Aggies averaged **nearly 10 yards per play** It was the kind of performance that confirmed McKinney as one of the elite offensive minds in college football. ## A Loyal Friend to Marauder Football Despite coaching at the highest levels of the sport, Clarence has stayed connected to his roots in Bismarck. - Has **assisted UMary in recruiting** student-athletes to the program - **Visited with Marauders coaches** during trips to Texas - Made a **personal visit to Bismarck** to talk football strategy and share insight with the UMary staff For the Marauder community, his success is a point of pride—and his ongoing support is a living example of what it means to be a **Marauder for life**. ## Family and Life Today The son of **Jack McKinney** and **Mary Sweat**, Clarence resides in **College Station, Texas**, where family remains at the center of his life. He and his wife **Jakmica** have three children: - **Britney** - **Atallah** - **Quran** Just as he once balanced academics and athletics at the University of Mary, McKinney now balances the demands of SEC football with faith, family, and a continued connection to the place where he helped make history. ## Why Clarence McKinney’s Story Matters to Marauders For current student-athletes, alumni, and supporters, **Clarence McKinney’s** journey is a powerful reminder: - A career that started at **UMary** can reach the **highest levels of college football**. - The lessons learned in a small program—**work ethic, humility, teaching, leadership**—translate to any stage. - Marauders don’t just make plays; they **become leaders, architects, and mentors** in the sport. From catching passes in Bismarck to calling plays in front of 100,000 fans in the SEC, Clarence McKinney represents the very best of what a Marauder can become. ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fpage.marauderfootballalumni.com%2Fmarauder-football-alumni-association-blog%2Ffrom-marauder-wideout-to-sec-offensive-coordinator-the-coaching-rise-of-clarence-mckinney](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fpage.marauderfootballalumni.com%2Fmarauder-football-alumni-association-blog%2Ffrom-marauder-wideout-to-sec-offensive-coordinator-the-coaching-rise-of-clarence-mckinney) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-09-15%20at%2011.45.39%20AM-1.png?width=3916&height=1882&name=Screenshot%202026-09-15%20at%2011.45.39%20AM-1.png) Staff Team Marauder Alumni Closing the Gap: Why the UMary Marauders are on the Brink of Turning the Tide Against USF](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/closing-the-gap-why-the-umary-marauders-are-on-the-brink-of-turning-the-tide-against-usf) ### [![](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202026-09-08%20at%209.00.33%20AM.png?width=1254&height=688&name=Screenshot%202026-09-08%20at%209.00.33%20AM.png) Staff Current Marauders Team Week 2 - Marauders Hit the Road to Face Concordia-St. Paul](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/marauder-football-alumni-association-blog/week-2-marauders-hit-the-road-to-face-concordia-st.-paul) [![Marauder Football Alumni Association](https://page.marauderfootballalumni.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(51)%20copy.png?width=200&height=200&name=Untitled%20design%20(51)%20copy.png "Marauder Football Alumni Association")](https://marauderfootballalumni.com/) ###### \*Not an Official Organization of the University of Mary. --- Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2026. 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