McIntosh hiring former Vigor coach John McKenzie to lead football program

McIntosh has made a major splash in the coaching carousel, officially bringing in a state champion to lead the football program. The school confirmed the hiring of John McKenzie on Tuesday night.

A New Era for the Demons

McKenzie takes the reins from Josh Harris, who led the team last season before stepping down this spring. Harris is now a member of the coaching staff at Robertsdale.

The incoming head coach brings an impressive pedigree to McIntosh. During his most recent stint at Vigor in 2024, McKenzie guided the Wolves to a 12-2 record and a trip to the Class 5A state semifinals prior to his departure from the program.

Proven Winning Pedigree

McKenzie is no stranger to deep playoff runs. During his previous tenure at Vigor, he famously captured a Class 4A state title in 2021, capping off the season with a dominant 52-14 victory over Oneonta. Throughout his five-year head coaching career, which includes stops at Murphy and Paul Bryant, McKenzie holds a 36-22 overall record. His background also features experience at the collegiate level, including a two-year stint as head coach at Delaware State.

Building on Momentum

The Demons are coming off a successful campaign, finishing 8-4 last year and securing their first playoff appearance since 2012. The team advanced to the second round of the Class 1A playoffs before their run ended against eventual state champion Maplesville.

Looking ahead, McIntosh will compete in Class 1A, Region 1 for the next two seasons. Their region schedule includes matchups against Choctaw County, Fruitdale, Leroy, Marengo, Millry, Southern Choctaw, and Washington County.