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.
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:
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.
Clarence’s coaching career began back home in Houston’s fiercely competitive high school football scene:
In 2005, he got his first shot as a head coach:
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.
In 2008, McKinney made the jump to NCAA Division I:
During his four seasons at Houston:
McKinney played a key role in developing explosive offenses and recruiting the kind of talent needed to compete at a high level.
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 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:
His play-calling debut was a statement:
It was the kind of performance that confirmed McKinney as one of the elite offensive minds in college football.
Despite coaching at the highest levels of the sport, Clarence has stayed connected to his roots in Bismarck.
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.
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:
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.
For current student-athletes, alumni, and supporters, Clarence McKinney’s journey is a powerful reminder:
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.