Son of Third Ward returns to familiar turf with goal of reviving struggling program
The faint noise of brass instruments often filled the air while Clarence McKinney played in his front yard in the Third Ward.
McKinney remembers the sound clearly, even though he was just 3- or 4-years-old.
The Ocean of Soul — the revered marching band at Texas Southern University — provided the soundtrack to his childhood.
McKinney grew up a few streets from TSU.
Now he’s back in the neighborhood — this time to coach the Tigers.
McKinney, 47, left his post as running backs coach at the University of Arizona to take the head coaching spot at TSU.
The hire is an inspired one for the Tigers, as McKinney is someone who could put the football program on the map.
“I’m excited for the challenge,” McKinney said. “I want to be the guy that builds a successful program at Texas Southern.”
McKinney can definitely be that guy.
He’s known in the football world for his ability to recruit. In a city as rich with talent as Houston is, that skill could take TSU to another level.
McKinney graduated from Yates and coached at North Shore, eventually ending up as the head coach at his alma mater. The Lions were 30-8 under McKinney before he moved on the University of Houston, where he coached the running backs and was the recruiting coordinator under Kevin Sumlin.
He followed Sumlin to Texas A&M and then to Arizona.
In his assistant duties, he’s been impressive. In 2013, he served as offensive coordinator for the Aggies. That season, they led the SEC in passing (353.3 yards per game), scoring (39.3 points per game and total offense (538.4 yards per game.)
This season at Arizona, he led the running backs. The Wildcats led the Pac-12 for the second straight season in rushing with 202.4 yards per game.
So McKinney clearly has a knack for offense, which bodes well for TSU.
“I am focused on balance,” he said. “I want us to play complementary football. I want the offense, the defense, special teams to all be good. We have work to do, but we can get there.”
Beyond what’s happening on the field, McKinney’s recruiting could help transform the program.
He knows the ins and outs of Houston high school football and it shows.
He played a big role during the years Texas A&M was known for its “Swagcopter” —a helicopter Sumlin used to visit recruits. In 2014, the Aggies had the No. 2-ranked recruiting class in the nation. In 2015, the No. 10ranked class.
At Arizona, McKinney was again known for his recruiting in Texas.
When Michael Haywood resigned last week, McKinney’s name immediately came up in rumors linking him to the Texas Southern job.
But it was fair to wonder if he would leave a job at a Power 5 school to take one in the Southwestern Athletic Conference — a school that plays its games at a local soccer stadium, a school that hasn’t had a winning record since 2010.
That year, the Tigers won their first SWAC championship in 42 years, only to have it stripped two seasons later when the NCAA sanctioned the university for several violations that spanned from 2005-2012.
The school has largely recovered from that tough spot, but the football team hasn’t been good. Even though the school falls smack dab in the middle of a recruiting hotbed, the Tigers aren’t drawing many top players to the program.
McKinney can help change the culture. He can get players from Houston to stay in town and propel the Tigers.
“I know the talent in Houston,” McKinney said. “I rely on a lot of people out at games, out watching to keep me informed when I can’t be there myself.”
McKinney can see the big picture.
And he will help recruits see it, too.
There’s something to be said for a guy who doesn’t just talk the talk. He’s from the area, he knows the area, the coaches, the families.
McKinney’s path could have landed him somewhere else.
But his passion for the game and his passion for Houston brought him back home.
“This opportunity made a lot of sense to me,” he said. “My father is getting up in age and I get to be close to him again. My family is here. The challenge is here.
“This is a job that really gets me excited.”
The faint sounds of the Ocean of Soul brass section will become a regular occurrence for McKinney again while he works to make the Texas Southern Tigers football team a relevant one.
If anyone can do it, it’s McKinney.
One of Third Ward’s best is home.