James Clemens coach picked for AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Classic

MADISON – Fourth-year James Clemens football head coach Chad McGehee is getting a chance of a lifetime by being chosen to be among the coaching staff for the upcoming 66th annual AHSAA North-South All-Star Football Classic set for Dec. 13 at Mobile’s Hancock Whitney Stadium. North head coach Sam Adams of Oxford High selected McGehee to coach defensive backs for the squad in the elite player showcase.

“This is a big honor as any time you get selected in a big game like this is always special,” said McGehee, after finding out he would be part of the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. “I’m looking forward to spending the week with some of the top players and coaches in Alabama. I’m really excited about the experience that stands before me.”

The 48-year old McGehee, who played in the defensive backfield for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1995-1998 under legendary defensive coach Bill Oliver, once stated he took what he learned from his experiences at Alabama with him to make his own style of coaching. McGehee played safety and wide receiver at Southside-Gadsden High and was team captain before he signed with Samford University before transferring to Alabama.

“Coach Adams and I spoke about what my role would be in the All-Star Game and we both decided handling defensive backs is where I need to be, after all, that area of coaching is my forte,” added Mc-Gehee. “This is my first spot in the All-Star Game, but I did coach one year at the national Under Armour All-Star Game a few years ago.”

McGehee was an assistant coach for 17 years and four years as a head coach prior to taking his current position at James Clemens.

The South leads the All-Stars series 35-28-2 and rides a two-game winning streak going into the 2024 matchup. The South won 31-28 on a late field goal last year and 42-7 in the most lopsided victory of the series in 2022. The All-Star Game was first played in 1948. The contest was moved to Mobile in 2020.