GISD appoints McChristian new AD, head football coach

A little over a month ago, longtime football coach and athletic director Kenny Davidson announced his retirement following the completion of the 2023-2024 school year.

Since then, the search has been on for Davidson’s replacement. Wednesday night at their board meeting, the Graham ISD Board of Trustees ended the search by approving Clay McChristian to be the next athletic director and head football coach at Graham High School.

The vote was unanimous in favor of appointing McChristian and he received support from the community at large. Members of the Graham football team spoke in the public session in support of McChristian’s hiring, as well.

McChristian has been the defensive coordinator for the Steers since 2009 and this is his first time serving as a head coach for a high school team. As defensive coordinator, Graham football won 159 games and made numerous playoff runs, including a 3A state runner-up finish in 2009.

McChristian said he always knew he wanted to be a head coach and felt that the wait was worth it.

“This was Coach Davidson's program for all those years, and I was proud to be a part of it and felt like I've been a big part of our success, along with other coaches here throughout the years,” McChristian said. “And so whether that time (to wait) was five years, 10 years or 20 years, I was willing to wait my time.”

His willingness to wait and serve in his role as defensive coordinator for all those years stems from his love for the student-athletes in Graham. McChristian has relished his opportunity to work with the football players and said they’re a big part of the reason he decided to stay.

“Everybody's asked me over the years, ‘Why? You've had opportunities, you guys have had so much success as a program and what keeps you here? What keeps you from looking around?’” McChristian said. “I looked, but I always just come back to the kids here, they’ve just got a special place in my heart. I tell every coach that’ll listen to me that Graham’s a special place and I truly believe that.”

Throughout his time at Graham, McChristian has specifically worked on the defensive side of the ball. He’s had brushes with the offense in his career leading up to coming to Graham and he’s excited to be more involved all around, in addition to continuing with the defense.

“I have such a love for defense and that’s not going away. That’s been my passion and fuel for most of my career,” McChristian said. “...But in this new role, I've got to make sure I know what the offense is doing on that side and what their game planning is…but I can’t give up the defense.”

McChristian will likely hire or promote a new defensive coordinator, but that individual will work hand in hand with him on that side of the ball. Graham’s defenses have had a lot of success during McChristian’s tenure and that shouldn’t change.

Having a new head coach allows the program opportunities to grow. While McChristian doesn’t foresee many changes to staff and coaches, he’s looking forward to putting his stamp on the program as he implements his vision for where the Steers can go.

“I tell people I’m unbelievably proud of our past but now it’s time to look to the future,” McChristian said. “We’ve got to put our stamp on this and have continued success.”

In addition to his responsibilities as head football coach, McChristian moves into the important role as athletic director.
He’ll have the opportunity to expand his reach of influence to not just football players, but athletes in all the sports programs around the school.

His daughter, Rylee, spent time in the various athletic programs on campus before she graduated so he’s familiar with some of the other sports. But this new position will allow him to get to know and take a bigger role in the success of other coaches and student-athletes.

“Now I'm really ready to visit the softball team, the volleyball team and the soccer teams, and that's girls and guys, and just really getting to be a bigger influence on not just one group of 20 to 25 young men, but really just have an impact on the entire high school,” McChristian said.