Headmaster Janet Ray is pleased to announce the hiring of Jimmy McGregor to the North Sunflower Academy family.
Athletic Director Todd Kitchings and Ray announced on Monday that longtime coaching legend, Jimmy McGregor, will take over the position of head junior high and varsity football coach, head junior high and varsity girls basketball coach and will teach math.
"When we moved Todd Kitchings to Athletic Director, we worked really hard to find a head football coach due to all the duties that came along with that position," Ray said. "When we could not find the right fit, Kitchings stepped in and took on that role. Now, with a new school year approaching, we have worked hard and found a great fit for our school. Kitchings will retain his athletic director and head baseball coach titles and will be an integral part of the football coaching staff."
"Having someone that has been around coaching and understands kids, the community and understands challenges - and how to approach those challenges - and work through adversity that will arise is something we look forward to in Coach McGregor," Kitchings said. "Both Mrs. Ray and I know that he has high expectations of his student athletes, and we are excited to get our summer workouts lined up. I am not going far and will be at all the practices and games."
McGregor comes to North Sunflower from Benton Academy, but his roots to Indianola and Ruleville run deep.
"My wife, Joyce, is originally from Ruleville, her sister taught there, and my nephews went to school at North Sunflower," McGregor said. "Our home is in Indianola and that is just a short drive to Ruleville every day."
For 40 years McGregor has lived out a dream of teaching kids both in the classroom and on the field. And his journey to North Sunflower Academy is one that he believes the good Lord guided him to.
"You know, I have been around a while," McGregor laughed. "I was at Carroll Academy and had some health issues and had to step down. After a year of getting my health in check, I told my wife I wanted to get back into head coaching, and I joined Benton Academy. I wasn't a head coach, but was an assistant. So when I heard that North Sunflower Academy was hiring I sent my resume. Then one of the finest young men you have ever met, called me. His name was Todd Kitchings. I didn't know him so I did some checking with other coaches and heard nothing but good things. Then I had another offer come up. I went to bed one night torn between two schools and prayed that the Lord would give me a sign. The next morning at 7:20 am, my phone rang and it was Todd. He wanted to talk a little more and I am so thankful for that phone call. He convinced me that morning that becoming a part of the Rebel family was the right choice."
The Rebels are in a high recruiting phase and McGregor hopes that his connections will aid in gaining student-athletes.
McGregor is married to his wife, Joyce, and they have two daughters, one son and three precious grandchildren.
