The South Pike County School Board voted Tuesday night to hire Marc McRae as the new head football coach and athletic director.
McRae, 26, was approved by an unanimous vote and was chosen over current Rattler coach Steve Martin; Jonathan Bates, currently defensive coordinator at Paris High School; and Matthew Gonzalez, currently defensive coordinator at Watson Chapel High School, who were all finalists for the job.
McRae replaces Jeff Jones, who resigns last month.
McRae is a 2008 graduate of Murfreesboro High School. He is currently the head baseball coach and is also assistant football coach and the team’s offensive coordinator. McRae was hired by the Gurdon School District after graduating from Hendrix University. He served as head baseball coach for the Go-Devils and was assistant football coach and co-offensive coordinator.
In addition to McRae, Martin, Gonzalez and Bates there were 17 other applicants, including (last known place of employment listed):
Cody Alexander, Pea Ridge
Jondavid Amerson, Sheridan
Rodney Bagley, Calvary Baptist in Carthage, Texas
Jason Burns, Mineral Springs
Clinton Davis, Crossett
Tyler Dorton, Lincoln
Robert Henderson, Virginia Military Institute
Dayton Kitchens, Belair Middle School in Pine Bluff
Jerry Malone, Beckville, Texas
Jason McClendon, Northland Christian in Houston, Texas
Steven Moore, Lakeview in Capti, La.
Bruce Munden, Haleyville, Okla.
Todd Scott, Camden
Brian Strickland, Smackover
Gregg Tibbitt, Mena
Lance Wall, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Drew Webster, James Bowie High, Omaha, Texas
