Atlanta AD McClure takes on new role

In 2011 Atlanta hired a new Athletic Director which knew the immense pride Rabbit athletes and fans display. In a way Coach Matt McClure was coming home.

Last Thursday, Jan. 21, it was announced via KPYN radio that McClure was stepping aside from the AD position and accepting a new role within the Atlanta ISD administration.

The McClure family has been a staple in Atlanta for many years.

McClure attended elementary through high school as a Rabbit and graduated in 1986. In high school he was a multi-sport athlete who played both baseball and football.

After graduation he attended East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) where he played baseball all four years.

During his time at ETBU McClure made Academic All-Conference, earned All-Conference honors and graduated on the Dean’s List with honors.

He graduated with a business degree and played semipro baseball in Nashville.

While on the business route in life McClure couldn’t shake the desire to become a coach.

He was once quoted saying, “Although I was looking for a job in business I had a deep desire to coach. I was told to go into business because it would be more profitable. Looking back now coaching isn’t the richest job but you reap the benefits of rich in other ways like being able to mold young minds and athletes.”

McClure went back to school and acquired all he needed to become a coach.

After coaching at Pittsburg High School McClure moved onto Killeen High School where he coached under his high school coach Jerry Bomar.

After coaching at Grand Prairie High School McClure made his way back to northeast Texas as the defensive coordinator at Texas High.

The Tigers won a state championship in 2002. McClure loved coaching and learning from mentors such as Bomar and Barry Norton but yearned to be an athletic director.

In 2011 the AD/HC job was open and McClure felt a draw to apply.

McClure got the job and went to work.

In his 10 years, the Rabbit football team made it to the fourth round of the state playoffs three times, made the playoffs seven years and made it to area five years.

McClure was named northeast Texas Coach of the Year in 2015, has overseen boys’ and girls’ state championships in track and oversaw the school’s first powerlifting state champion Alvin Battle in 2015.

In his 10 years, 58 student-athletes signed to further their education in college.

The student-athletes have signed to several colleges ranging from Missouri to Houston, to Oklahoma State to Rice to Kentucky.