December 23, 1996
DOVER, DE- After a national search, Delaware State University President William B. DeLauder has announced the appointment of John McKenzie as Hornet head football coach.
McKenzie, 33, served this past season as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Fayetteville State (NC) University. Since entering the coaching ranks, the former Jackson State University star quarterback is most noted for his yeas as an assistant at Alabama State University from 1987 to 1991. He was offensive coordinator in 1991, when the ASU "Hornets" averaged 430 yards and 41.2 points per game, enroute to an 11-0-1 season that included the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship, and a 36-13 victory over North Carolina A&T in the inaugural Heritage Bowl. In 1990, his Alabama State offense averaged 440 yards and 34.9 points per game.
"We are very please to have Coach McKenzie join the Delaware State University family," President DeLauder said. "We are extremely confident that he will sustain our winning tradition. We believe he has the prerequisite skills of a head coaching position in a Division I program."
"His track record in the areas of recruiting and relating to student-athletes and his commitment to excellence convinced us that he is the individual best suited to lead our football program to continued respectability and national prominence."
McKenzie succeeds Bill Collick, who resigned in November after 12 seasons as head coach of the Hornets to devote more time to his duties as DSU's Director of Athletics. Collick is the winningest coach in Delaware State history, compiling an overall record of 81-43. His teams captured five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships.
"I'm grateful to God for the opportunity to become a head coach," McKenzie said. "He has opened the door for me to become part of a great university and an outstanding football program."
McKenzie, a native of Miami, FL, is a graduate of Jackson State University, where he earned a Bachelor's in biology in 1986. He established several JSU passing records, and was named to the All-SWAC team following the 1982 and 1983 seasons. He also served two years on the Jackson State coaching staff. He was an assistant quarterback coach from 1985 to 1986, then returned to the Tigers in 1992 as offensive coordinator. He held that post for two seasons.
McKenzie is married to the former Venus Lewis. They have three children, DeAndre, Fedrick and Octavian. He becomes the Hornets' 14th head coach.
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