Chad McGehee returns to coaching; former James Clemens head coach back in action

MADISON – After leaving coaching with 27 years of experience at the completion of the 2024 high school season at James Clemens High, Chad McGehee chose to continue teaching to secure his pension as an educator and begin a real estate career while having a seamless transition from one profession to the next. Away from coaching, he taught at both Horizon Elementary School as part of Madison City Schools and Johnson Elementary, which is school in the Limestone County School System. McGehee soon realized that was not his calling in life and he needed to return to coaching.

Earlier this year, McGehee received a call from Grissom High head football coach Preston Judah asking if McGehee would entertain the idea of returning to coaching with the south Huntsville program. “I was somewhat hesitant, but I knew I was destined to return to coaching,” said McGehee, of his choice to become the Defensive Coordinator for the Class 7A program at Grissom.

“I began at Grissom on Feb. 25th and have hit the ground running conducting spring practice,” said McGehee, who currently teaches history, but will switch to Prep Career in the next school year. “It’s been a great balance of football and real estate for me. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how excited my family is, as well as, being back in the stadium on Friday nights.”

Under first-year head coach Judah, the Tigers were just 1-9 and allowed 319 points to their opponents. The Grissom alum knew he needed good, qualified help and quickly, so he reached out to the coach who posted a 27-16 overall record with a Region mark of 22-6 and two region championships in four seasons with the Jets, including the first undefeated season in school history (2021) where McGehee was named the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 7A Head Coach of the Year.

“I would love nothing more than to help Coach Judah and Grissom High create a consistent culture of success,” said McGehee. “Coaching retirement did not last long and I am full speed ahead on both ventures in my life (football and real estate), and loving doing both”