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McKenzie High School has welcomed onboard the new varsity baseball coach, Jared Edge. The Highland Home native comes to McKenzie after five years teaching and coaching at Holtville High School in Deatsville, where he helped the varsity baseball team achieve the title of Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) 5A State Champions in 2023, and runners-up in 2022. 

“Coach Edge is truly a Godsend,” said McKenzie Principal Michael Collins. “Not only does Coach Edge know what it takes to get to the championship, he has lived it. He is also highly regarded as a football coach where he specializes on the defensive side of the ball. On top of all that, he is fully certified in science. He checked every box, he is truly a “home run” for McKenzie school and our students.”

Edge graduated high school from South Montgomery County Academy. He went on to play football for a year at Huntingdon College in Montgomery where he graduated with a degree in biology, and later received his masters degree in biology education from the University of West Alabama. 

At McKenzie, Edge will be teaching life science, physical science, biology, and chemistry while simultaneously acting as defensive coordinator for the varsity football team and head coach for the varsity baseball team. 

Edge said he is excited to return to a smaller school like the one he grew up in. 

“I’ve always wanted to be in a small school because that’s where I always went,” Edge said. “I like the idea of getting to know my players and their siblings and being able to watch them grow up. Holtville was a bit too big for that as I didn’t get to see the kids everyday. But in a smaller school like McKenzie you tend to bump into each other all day long, and I like the feel of that.”

The coach said he believes the Tigers baseball team has a shot at the playoffs this year. He described how the key to the team’s success will depend upon their connection with each other. 

“I think you always have to show the kids you care about them before they care what you think,” Edge said. “You have to build that relationship first before anything else, and once that is established, they will want to learn. At the end of the day, what matters most is if they learned to be a better human being.”

The staff, players, and parents have been very supportive so far, explained Edge. He looks forward to growing roots at McKenzie and seeing what the year has ahead. 

“I’m thankful to Mr. Collins, Coach Bradford, Mr. Eiland and the board for giving me this chance, and to my wife and family for being so supportive. I also want to thank God for opening this door.”