Jeremy McGraw has coached six different sports in his 18-year career — volleyball, boys basketball, girls basketball, softball, baseball, girls golf.
He’s coached at the junior high, freshman, reserve and varsity levels at various times.
Plus, McGraw, a graduate of East Clinton High School, has coached at his alma mater along with Hillsboro, Whiteoak and Leesburg Fairfield schools.
All that rolls in to McGraw being a multi-faceted, well-qualified person to be an athletic director. He’ll get the chance to prove that at East Clinton, as he takes over for Brian Carey, who has gone on to fill Clinton-Massie’s AD position.
“Being able to communicate with many different athletic directors, coaches, officials, athletes and parents, this has helped me build not only knowledge of each sport, but relationships and connections that I can bring to East Clinton to help the athletic department grow,” said McGraw, who graduated Wilmington College in 2010. “Because of my experience at many different levels and sports, boys/girls, HS/JH, this will help me connect with the coaches and athletes.”
McGraw has coached at East Clinton several years, but never had a full-time gig in Lees Creek. Until now.
“East Clinton is a place I have always called home,” he said. “I have grown up in this community, my wife and I are alumni and have decided to raise our family in this community. I am excited to not only get to watch my own kids grow but I am excited to get to watch all students grow at East Clinton academically and athletically.
”This was the right time for me to be with my family and a special group of people at East Clinton. Going to Whiteoak and Fairfield has helped me grow, not only as an educator but as a person as well. This has prepared me for this opportunity at East Clinton where I knew I would always end up, back home.”
McGraw has always been involved in sports in some capacity, he said. Bill Bean, former EC athletic director, gave him his first coaching job and “I grew to love and was passionate” about that aspect of sports.
“I knew I wanted to be a varsity coach at some point in my career and this happened sooner than I expected,” he said. “I have met and coached with so many good people that I have learned from and am forever grateful for those opportunities and experiences.
“My expectation for East Clinton Athletics is to work with all coaches, each program, and all student-athletes to build the culture of competitiveness, work ethic, character and integrity. East Clinton strives to build champions and ambassadors and I want that to be seen in the athletics. Another goal of mine, as the AD, is to enhance our athletic facilities starting with the outdoor facilities and moving to the gymnasiums and locker rooms. I look forward to forming an athletic committee to discuss fundraising ideas to help this project succeed.”
