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Coming Home: McKinney ISD announces Nate Leonard as Lions' new head coach
Thirteen years after graduating from McKinney High School, a Lion returns to the den! On Monday evening, McKinney ISD announced that it has hired Lions alumnus Nate Leonard as the new head coach for McKinney High School.
McKinney ISD athletic director Jennifer Frazier took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to showcase her excitement about the hire: "Incredible things are ahead!" wrote Frazier.
Words can’t describe the excitement I have for @MHSLions
Incredible things are ahead! @CoachLeonardTX @McKISDAth pic.twitter.com/6WxHTAnvCi
— Jennifer Frazier (@JenniferFraz25) January 23, 2024
A standout center on the offensive line during his time in a Lions' jersey, Leonard played college football at UTSA as a key part of the inaugural Roadrunners team. Leonard earned the first Academic All-American award in UTSA history (2013) among many other honors throughout his collegiate career such as Conference USA Scholar-Ahtlete of the Year (2013), William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist (2014), Golden Feather Award (2013), and more. Leonard continued to contribute to his community as he served as a teacher and assistant football coach around the San Antonio area before joining the Duke coaching staff as a graduate assistant. Most recently, Leonard served as the head football coach and athletic coordinator for Canyon High School in New Braunfels-- part of Comal ISD. Leonard also started a boys and girls competitive powerlifting program for the school.
C🔵〽️ING H🔵〽️E#GRIT🔵🐾#GoldStandard🟡🦁 pic.twitter.com/TqTFQuv9OI
— Coach Nate Leonard, M.Ed. (@CoachLeonardTX) January 23, 2024
As the head coach at Canyon, Leonard led the team to their first back-to-back winning seasons as well as their first back-to-back playoff appearances in over a decade while also performing as a positive role model for his athletes. Remaining encouraging and motivating the student-athletes to work just as hard in the classroom as they do on the field; 45 football athletes were listed on the Academic All-District team while 17 were listed on the THSCA Academic All-State team in 2023. Active in the community, Leonard has portrayed his philanthropic spirit while helping fundraise for several events throughout the year.
Thank you, Canyon.#GRIT🔴🐾 pic.twitter.com/lplCUNgz1I
— Coach Nate Leonard, M.Ed. (@CoachLeonardTX) January 23, 2024
Posting his goodbye to Canyon on X, Leonard looks at heading home where he will take the reigns at his alma mater- a team that went 9-3 overall this season (5-2 in district play) with a playoff appearance. The Lions fans should rest well knowing their student-athletes will be in great hands as Leonard prepares to expand his legacy, add to McKinney ISD Athletics' tradition of excellence, and continue to raise the Gold Standard at McKinney High.
MISD is pleased to announce that Nate Leonard has been named the new MHS head football coach! He is an MHS alum and brings 8 years of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels.
Read more: https://t.co/NipuFKcDnz pic.twitter.com/6BloTB60x7
— McKinney ISD (@mckinneyisd) January 23, 2024
COVER STORY: Amador emerges as North Shore star entering senior season
TIED 10-10 WITH 2:53 REMAINING AGAINST DUNCANVILLE IN THE 2021 UIL CLASS 6A DI STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN FRONT OF OVER 42,000 FANS, A PLAY HAD TO BE MADE.
The North Shore Mustangs vaunted defense just needed a little help from their freshman quarterback Kaleb Bailey to break the deadlock.
Mustang offensive coordinator Willie Gaston delivered the call – “Bronco Z-Spot Double Post”.
“I told our coaches that we were going to take a shot downfield,” Gaston said. “I told our assistants to tell Kaleb to throw the ball to David (Amador) no matter what! We had great protection from our offensive line, Bailey threw a great ball and David did the rest.”
The play will live in infamy as North Shore would cement itself as “The Program” in the State of Texas, winning three of the last four State titles in the UIL’s highest classification.
The school’s fifth overall in the largest classification. It was David Amador’s 11th score of the season, but none was bigger than the 39-yard game-winner.
“I knew it was coming to me and I wanted to make a big play,” he said. “When it happened, I didn’t think it was going to come so easy. It was a simple play to run, and we ran it to perfection. I was so stoked when it happened.”
So many talented players have come through the fieldhouse of North Shore High School. When you ask coaches about the three-year starting receiver, their eyes light up. “He’s probably one of the purest receivers we’ve ever had,” head coach Jon Kay said.
“Great speed, body control and catch radius. He could play just about any skill position on either side of the ball.”
Amador works on this craft feverishly. He will be the go-to-guy on offense in 2022 and will have a target on his back more than ever.
“I’ve been working on my ball-handling skills and route running,” he said. “My coaches are giving me more responsibility as a leader, playing me some at QB and of course as the featured inside receiver. That target on my back makes me work even harder. I’m ready for a much bigger year than last season.”
Scary thought.
As his work ethic and play-making ability continued to show up on film last season, Amador started to pick up some recruiting steam. He verbally committed to the University of Texas-San Antonio due to its “facilities, coaches and hometown feel”.
Kay sees an even bigger future.
“He’s a huge pick-up for UTSA,” Kay said. “Before his career ends there, he might become the Mayor of San Antonio.” He’s that good.