Aggie Football-
FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
George Ragsdale · John McKenzie · Tayrone Odums · Kenneth Ray · Travis Oliver · Mack Vincent · Myron Jackson · Chris Robinson · Cedric Walthaw · Dexter Stroman
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John McKenzie enters his first season as the North Carolina A&T offensive coordinator. The veteran coach brings with him a well-earned reputation for designing creative, unpredictable and successful offensive game plans.
McKenzie’s offenses have been known to average better than 30 points and 400 yards per game. His offensive success is rooted in his ability to develop quarterbacks and wide receivers into harmonious tandems thanks to his sophisticated yet precise style of play calling.
Prior to assisting head coach Lee Fobbs by alleviating him of his dual role of offensive coordinator and head coach, McKenzie spent seven seasons at Alcorn State. In 2005, the Braves had the best rushing offense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, compiling 203.5 yards per game.
However, his crowning achievement at Alcorn State was the development of quarterback Donald Carrie. Carrie finished his Braves career in 2003 having thrown for more than 10,000 yards, finishing second all-time to only former NFL MVP Steve McNair. During the 2003 season, the Braves offense finished third in the conference in total offense after compiling
4,885 yards of offense. Before coaching the Braves, McKenzie earned his first head coaching post. He led the Delaware State program from 1997-2000. While there, he continued to show his great rapport with quarterbacks. Under McKenzie’s tutelage, Rashaan Matthews became the Hornets all-time leading passer.
Between 1992 and 1996, McKenzie had various stints at Jackson State, Alabama State and Fayetteville State as an assistant. But he made his most impressive mark as an offensive coordinator during his first stint at Alabama State from 1987 to 1991. The ASU Hornets offense averaged 430 yards and 41.2 points per game during the ’91 season. The Hornets went 11-0-1 during the season and captured the school’s first-ever SWAC championship.
Their successful season culminated in a win over North Carolina A&T in the Heritage Bowl played at Miami’s Joe Robbie Stadium, where the Hornets registered 687 yards of offense. McKenzie began his coaching career at his alma mater Jackson State in 1985 when served as the assistant quarterbacks coach. He then took a post as the offensive coordinator at his high school alma mater Miami Central for one season in 1986.
McKenzie’s success with various quarterbacks stems from him being a standout quarterback at Jackson State. McKenzie threw for 5,014 yards and 43 touchdowns. He was an All-SWAC selection during the 1982 and ’83 seasons. In 1981, ‘82 and ‘85, he led the Tigers to the SWAC title. McKenzie, a Jackson State Hall of Famer, set eight single-season passing records including most completions (142), passing yards (2,067) and total offense (2,127).
In 1986, he graduated from Jackson State with a Bachelors of Science in biology. In addition, he earned a Master’s degree in physical education from Alcorn State in ‘03. McKenzie is married to the former Venus Lewis and they have three children – Fredrick, Octavian and Jasmine.