When Coach Padriac McGinnis took over the Eisenhower football program last May, it was barely recognizable. With no head coach, 30 players gone, and a support staff stretched thin, rebuilding seemed impossible.
Four months later, after assembling a team of ten new coaches, Eisenhower isn’t just surviving; it’s playoff-bound. The turnaround is a masterclass in leadership, strategy, and relentless grit.
On May 1, 2025, McGinnis returned to Eisenhower High School’s campus, this time as head coach. He previously served as offensive coordinator under coach Robert Jackson during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
“When the head coaching job became available, I was surprised,” said McGinnis. “I was familiar with a few of the guys who worked on Coach Odell James’ staff, and after the unforeseen circumstances, the job opened up. Since I’d coached here before, I figured I’d apply.”
But returning to Eisenhower brought an unexpected challenge.
“When I walked in, I thought I was late. There were only 19 kids in the class period. When I was here in 2019, Eisenhower had two athletic periods. So I told the trainer, ‘Hey, I must’ve missed the other group.’ And that’s when she told me this was the only period now.”
Coach Padriac McGinnis
“When I walked in, I thought I was late,” said McGinnis. “There were only 19 kids in the class period. When I was here in 2019, Eisenhower had two athletic periods. So I told the trainer, ‘Hey, I must’ve missed the other group.’ And that’s when she told me this was the only period now.”
Only 19 players remained, which is too few for spring football or serious offseason workouts. McGinnis soon discovered that 30 players had transferred out of the program.
“I was shocked because I was just here five years ago,” said McGinnis.
The losses revealed a deeper issue: The negative stigma surrounding Eisenhower High School.
“Eisenhower gets a bad stigma because of the area and negative experiences,” said senior linebacker Braylon Alvis. “I don’t think the school is bad. It has its ups and downs, like any school. Still, it has taught me a lot through different experiences and helped me connect with people I never thought I’d talk to. It’s given me a family away from home.”
From that bleak starting point, McGinnis swiftly assembled a new coaching team capable of restoring not only skills but also trust.
“When I began looking for coaches to fill the staff, I searched for people I could trust,” said McGinnis.
He greeted familiar faces. Offensive coordinator Chris McClanahan, a longtime colleague from Hightower High School, joined the staff. Anthony Akoro, a former center under McGinnis at Hightower who later coached alongside him at Cypress Ridge, became his assistant head coach.
McGinnis also hired brothers Johnkil and Jeremy Skipper, both of whom he met while coaching at Cypress Ridge. On the recommendation of Houston Heights head coach Stephen Dixon, McGinnis added Robert Toomer as defensive coordinator. Five additional hires completed a ten-man coaching staff built on loyalty, experience, and shared purpose.
“They all had coaching experience before joining, and they bought in because they knew their role,” said McGinnis.
With the staff in place, the next challenge was connecting with the players, the heart of the program.
“To earn the players’ trust, I shared my life story,” said McGinnis. “I showed them I faced hardships, but I didn’t use that as an excuse. I had it tough, but I made a choice, I decided to play sports and attend school.”
McGinnis received a Division I scholarship to the University of Louisiana–Monroe, where he played left tackle and later earned a graduate degree in Education Administration at the University of Arkansas.
Players quickly noticed the new tone.
“Adapting to the new coaches’ expectations was different at first,” said Alvis. “They came in with a whole new standard of discipline, accountability, new workouts, and effort every single day. It pushed us out of our comfort zone. However, once we bought into the system, we began to see results. The coaches held us to a higher level, and it forced us to grow not just as players, but as a team.”
A culture of accountability, energy, and belief started to grow, but behind the scenes, McGinnis wasn’t sure how far the team could go in their first year.
“I got hired May 1 and didn’t get my coaches until June 15,” said McGinnis. “We had only three months before the season started. With no spring ball and no weight training, we still needed players, and we had to install plays. I expected to win maybe two games and focus on culture building for 2026. But these kids showed out.”
Instead of two wins, Eisenhower finished 6–4 and secured a spot in the playoffs. With a one-point loss to Nimitz and a three-point loss to Westfield, Eisenhower was a total of four points away from being 8-2 on the season. After giving up 38 points to Benjamin Davis, the Eisenhower defense only allowed 18 points total in their last seven games.
“It feels great to bring Swoop back to the playoffs,” said Alvis. “Our coaches tell us to control what we can and not shy away from adversity.”
For McGinnis, the turnaround wasn’t just about X’s and O’s; it was about vision and belief.
“Looking back, the most rewarding part of this turnaround has been getting the kids to buy in,” said McGinnis. “We gave them a plan, they believed, and they bought in.”
Eisenhower’s comeback is more than a football story; it’s a testament to resilience.
“This season developed my leadership more,” said Alvis. “It’s been one of my hardest years on and off the field, and my brothers on the team helped me through it. They lifted me up instead of letting me fall. That helped me grow as a leader because I knew they wouldn’t give up on me, so I wouldn’t give up on them. We hold each other accountable to the standard of being better. We all share the same goal of playing at the next level. Everyone has one job to do; if we all stick to it, we’ll be successful and continue to shock the world.”
