HOUSTON — Dr. Kevin Granger, the Vice President of Athletics at Texas Southern, confirmed to HBCU Legends that Fred McNair has yet to receive an "official offer" for the head football coach position. However, it's believed the two sides have agreed in principle. The Texas Southern University Board of Trustees will convene on Thursday to decide whether to approve a four-year contract worth over $310,000 for the next head football coach, according to sources.
Fred McNair met with the Texas Southern Head Football Search Committee last weekend in Houston and had an extremely productive interview. Currently, he is considered "one of the top candidates" for the position.
Should Texas Southern hire Fred McNair, he would take over the Tigers' football program who posted a 3-8 record under former head coach Clarence McKinney. Last season, McNair led the Alcorn State Braves to a 48-33 record over the past eight seasons.
During his tenure at Alcorn, McNair has two SWAC Championship titles, five SWAC East championships, and two trips to the Celebration Bowl. Last season, the Braves posted a 7-4 overall and 6-2 SWAC record.
Coach Fred McNair checks all of Dr. Kevin Granger's wishlist he wanted in the next head football coach at Texas Southern:
- Prior experience as a head coach
- Previous success leading a football program
- Experience or background with an HBCU
- A strong recruiter and able to develop the talent
- Able to engage and connect with students, fans, and alums.
Fred McNair is praised as a coaching offensive specialist. He took over the head coaching position in 2016 at Alcorn after being the quarterbacks coach from 2013-15.
McNair was also the quarterback at Alcorn, following in the footsteps of his brother and NFL legend Steve McNair. In 1991, he played football in the Canadian League and won the 79th Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts.
McNair has an impressive coaching record, having led the Alcorn State Braves to a 48-33 record over the past eight seasons. During his tenure at Alcorn, McNair won two SWAC Championship titles, five SWAC East championships, and took the team to the Celebration Bowl twice.
Last season, the Braves had a 7-4 overall and 6-2 SWAC record. McNair is known for his offensive coaching expertise and was the quarterbacks coach at Alcorn from 2013-15 before assuming the head coaching position in 2016.
Should McNair and TSU formally agree on term, he will have the 2023 Newcomer of the Year, Jace Wilson, as his quarterback. The former starting signal-caller, Andrew Body, entered the transfer portal on Dec. 4. The team will lose the 2023 HBCU Rushing Champion, LaDarius Owens, as the senior will enter the 2024 NFL Draft in April.
The Texas Southern Athletics department will release the date for the official press conference to announce the hire.
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