According to the online dictionary we consulted, a “splash hire” is the recruitment of a prominent, high-profile individual, often a celebrity in their field (such as a well-known coach or executive), who generates significant media attention, public buzz, and high expectations for immediate success. Eminence High was 4-7 last season. The term “Eminence” is defined (same online dictionary) as “…fame or recognized superiority, especially within a particular sphere or profession.” In Garry McPeek, “The Warriors” have obtained a high-profile, celebrity status in the field of KHSAA coaching who is already generating media buzz (ours) to coach a school whose very name signifies fame or recognized superiority. Entirely fitting…
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
Eminence, KY: Eminence High is a 1A program known throughout the classification as the Warriors. The Warriors were 0-11 in ’22, 6-5 in ’23 and ’24, before finishing 4-7 in ’25.
The Warriors appear ready to compete. They have hired a guy, in Garry McPeek, who has been there before and can carry them along should they be willing to follow his lead.
McPeek recently served a stint as the Director of Player Personnel for Coach Walt Wells’s Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) Colonel program. Coach Wells’s health has rebounded soundly but Wells suffered a cardiac episode in August of 2022 the result of which saw McPeek appointed interim head football coach, at the Division 1, FCS football program, during the period of the head coach’s convalescence.
Prior to coming to Richmond, Garry McPeek was hardly an unknown football commodity. McPeek had more than 30 years of football experience.
McPeek served as the offensive line coach at the country’s premier and winningest, high school football program (Valdosta High, GA). McPeek was on the staff at Valdosta HS during the 2020 season, helping the team reach the GHSA (Georgia High School Association) 6A semifinals.
Georgia 6A is a pretty high level of competition…
Friday Night Fletch
George 6A is a pretty high level of competition. It rivals any high school competition from anywhere in America. Texas, California, Florida, anywhere…take our word for it. We know these type things!
From July 2015 to January 2019, McPeek was an assistant coach and athletic director in the Fayette County public school system. He launched the athletics program at Frederick Douglass High School and helped the team reach the state championship game.
That same Frederick Douglass (Lex.) program is now headed by a relative (Nathan McPeek), has won a state title, and yearly competes for titles at Kentucky’s highest classification. The Broncos sport roster talent the envy of high school coaches commonwealth-wide.
McPeek was the offensive coordinator at Fannin County High School in Blue Ridge, Georgia during the 2014 season. He served as athletic director and principal at Fairview High School in Ashland, Kentucky from 2007 to 2014. During the 2004, 2005 and 2006 seasons, McPeek was the assistant principal and offensive coordinator at Boyd County High School.
In three seasons as the head coach at Lawrence County High School, from 2001 to 2003, McPeek led the team to a 28-5 record. From July 1998 to June 2001, McPeek was the athletic director and assistant football coach at Russell High School.
McPeek spent two stints on the staff of the Kentucky Horseman Arena Football Team. Those stints were from 2002 to 2006 and from 2008 to 2010. With McPeek on staff, the AFL team won four conference titles and a national championship.
Here is the point. McPeek has won everywhere he’s been, regardless of the level. Now he finds himself heading up a Kentucky 1A program.
What is the likelihood of his being able to successfully handle this assignment? We would say right bloody likely!
McPeek’s one of those been there, done that types. He certainly can do it again; hence the hire.
Eminence had a lot of senior talent on its roster in ’25. However, that should NOT be interpreted as meaning there won’t be remaining “pieces” available for the new head man and his staff to utilize toward its goal of instant success.
David Ortega (’28, QB) led the team in passing yards and touchdowns. Ortega was the team’s third leading ground gainer and scored five (5) TDs rushing.
Leading receiver Tavion Chambers (’27, WR/DB) returns and he led the team in receptions, receiving TDs, and receiving yards. On defense, where Chambers was equally effective, Chambers tallied 27-tackles, a TFL, and picked five (5) passes for 70-IRNYs with the ball club’s lone pick six.
The situation isn’t ideal. However, it is not too steep a climb for an accomplished and veteran climber.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, and we’re reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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