Community

Kicking Off Change

New LHS football coach lays out his game plan

Brody Clay, Staff Writer

February 2, 2026

New LHS head football coach Jermey McKinney introduces himself to players. Photo courtesy of Lancaster High School’s Instagram.

Jeremy McKinney. Image courtesy of LHS Athletic Department.

Although it is technically off-season, Gale football is already brewing up a refreshing storm with the arrival of new head coach Jeremy McKinney. Just recently, McKinney introduced himself to the current players and laid out his game plan for the future of the Golden Gales football program. He highlighted that building on the strong football culture and standards already established in Lancaster is important.

“I think the biggest thing for us, to start, is to instill our culture and instill who we are, who we want to be.

“I think what I really want people to be able to recognize is that we’re gonna hold ourselves to a high standard; we’re gonna hold ourselves to a high expectation, ” McKinney said.

LHS assistant coach Andrew Cline, who has worked with McKinney in the past, said that he is anticipating a positive season next fall.

Assistant coach Andrew Cline with players. Photo courtesy of Cline.

“I believe in what Coach McKinney is doing. I was already with him over at Bloom-Carroll. Yeah. I think this [LHS football] program has had some struggles. If we can bring it back, I’m really excited about what it can be. We’re gonna hit the ground running,” said Cline.

In a recent interview with the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, sports writer Tom Wilson wrote that McKinney had a successful record of “41wins and 12 losses at Bloom-Carroll over four seasons, turning their football program into a winning team with four MSL-Buckeye Division titles and nine wins in the playoffs” (Wilson). Now the Gales players, fans, and community are hoping for similar results for Lancaster. McKinney said that it all comes down to everyone’s mindset.

“Our guys care about what they’re doing in school.  They care about what they’re doing outside of school. They care about what they’re doing in the weight room, in the locker room. Like, I want you guys to understand that, this isn’t something you can just show up after school and practice.  It’s something that has to be like, this is who you are. And once that happens, once we kind of accept that and adapt to that,” he said.

Change can be challenging for people. Cline said that he thinks rallying around change is key to the success of Lancaster football.

“I think people just need to embrace the change; embrace the difference. Sometimes different might be hard, but there’s a reason; there’s a method behind the madness,” Cline said.

Coach McKinney and his family. Photo courtesy of McKinney.

By coming to Lancaster High School to coach, McKinney is returning to his roots. He told Eye of the Gale that he grew up in Lancaster, and previously taught and coached at LHS. He and his wife, who is also a teacher for Lancaster City Schools, currently reside in Lancaster.

“I know the tradition of the program. I understand how important it is to the community.  And I see on Friday nights from afar, like how the stands are still packed full of people. So, I think it was an opportunity to try to put our stamp on it and build upon the tradition of the program.

With the advent of the 2026 football season ahead, it appears that the community is welcoming home one of its favorite sons.

“I was just at the dentist yesterday and I had four different people congratulate me. Yeah. Some people stay connected to the program – some people do not. So it’s been a little bit like drinking from a fire hydrant the last week, to be honest with you,” McKinney said.