I have always said that if a player ever has the opportunity to play for Cecil Espy that to take it.
That goes for Jim Gatewood, too.
Marshals Hire Gatewood
North Coach Replaces Kyle Hope As McKinney Head Coach
By Brent Yarina
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McKinneyNews.net Staff Writer
Wednesday, Aug 22nd 4:57pm
McKinney North's Jim Gatewood has been named Kyle Hope's successor as the McKinney Marshals head coach.
Hope, the Texas Collegiate League's most successful coach, quit last week after leading the Marshals to the championship series for the third time in four years -- a span that included the 2006 TCL title and 2004 Coach of the Year award.
"I hate to lose a guy like Kyle," team president Mike Henneman said. "He was a great coach, a super man, and we'll miss him."
"I'm disappointed Kyle is leaving," general manager Ray Ricchi said. "He's been a great ambassador for the kids and the league."
A call to Hope's cell phone went unreturned at time of publication. However, Henneman and Ricchi both said Hope's decision had to do with his desire to spend more time with his family.
Gatewood, who enters his second season at North, becomes the franchise's second coach. Hope was the team's original coach when the the league opened in 2004.
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Credit: Brent Yarina
As much as Henneman hated to see Hope go, he is confident Gatewood can continue the franchise's run of success.
"Jimmy's my man," Henneman said. "We feel really good about him.
"He's very similar to what I saw in Kyle. I'm an old-school guy, so is Kyle and so is Jim. That was a requirement."
Gatewood said the Marshals had an easy sell when they asked for an interview.
"I've always been a fan of the league," Gatewood said. "When [the position] came open, I got a call. I was very excited to come aboard."
Prior to coming to North, Gatewood coached eight years as an assistant at Alabama, experience Henneman immediately mentioned.
"He brings a lot to the table," Henneman said. "He's a great coach, he has connections with the [Southeastern Conference]. Plus, he's a good guy."
Even more, Gatewood knows the pressure involved in replacing a successful coach. At North, Gatewood took over for Brandon Milam, who led the Bulldogs to three consecutive district titles, and won a share of the District 9-4A crown in his first season.
How will Gatewood go about replacing the TCL's winningest coach?
"This team has had so much success [that] you just want to continue it," Gatewood said. "My goal will be to win this league every year."
That is, assuming there is a league. Seven of the TCL's nine tams have told league Chairman and Chief Executive Gerald Haddock that they do not intend to return next year. Haddock responded by suing the teams, including reigning champ Coppell, Weatherford, Wichita Falls, Denton, Mineral Wells, Duncanville and Colleyville.
"I feel confident this will get resolved," Henneman said. "I truly believe that or I wouldn't be doing this."
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