MADISON- Chad McGehee has been officially named the third head coach in the short history of the James Clemens football program. The 44-year old was named the new head coach at the Madison City Schools Board Meeting and was introduced at the school he will soon call home.

McGehee arrives at James Clemens from Hoover where he was defensive coordinator the last three seasons and replaces Wade Waldrop, who exited the position to take over the similar spot at Florence High.

“Taking this job is more than just as a coach as I looked at the Madison area for its schools and academics, community and everything involved and I’m excited about the move and look forward to the challenge of keeping this fine program continuing to move to the elite,” said McGehee.

The 44-year old has been as assistant coach for 17 years and four years as a head coach after playing college football at Alabama 1995-1998 under Alabama legends Gene Stallings and Mike Dubose. While he played in the defensive backfield for the Crimson Tide, he did so under the guidance of defensive coach Bill Oliver and has taken what he learned from his experiences with him to his own style of coaching.

“I look to create a family atmosphere and want these players, just like my own kids, to become the best version they can be,” said McGehee, who played safety and wide receiver at Southside-Gadsden High as a team captain and actually signed with Samford before moving to Tuscaloosa for college. “I teach the fundamentals of everything surrounding football and how to handle adversity. I’m going to push them, have standards and be demanding to have love and trust for each other.”

McGehee is married to his wife, Amy, and they have two children, Brett, 16, and Clayton, 12. Brett plays tennis while Clayton is a swimmer. He said his main hobby is to study football and does so by traveling to visit colleges and meet with college coaches.

“We are very excited to have Coach McGehee as our head coach of football and we believe that he is an excellent football coach and a molder of young men,” said Brian Clayton, principal of James Clemens. “He will be a definite asset to the community and we are happy to welcome him and his family.”

McGehee was one of among 54 applicants for the position.

McGehee expects to start his duties at James Clemens by March 8 and will quickly jump into his duties as head coach as he will open spring football practice by the end of April with conclusion sometime during May.