With the approval of the Troy City Schools Board Thursday morning, Brad McCoy’s football coaching career came full circle.

McCoy, the newest head coach of the Charles Henderson Trojans, got his first coaching gig nearly two decades ago at then Troy State University under legendary head coach Larry Blakeney.

“Brad is a top notch guy,” Blakeney said. “He came here years ago and did a lot for this program. He did film work, helped coach and did it all. He will be a great fit for Charles Henderson, which is a school that we (Troy University) personally care a lot about.”

Charles Henderson and Troy share Veterans Memorial Stadium, and must work out scheduling conflicts numerous times throughout the year. Blakeney said his staff will do whatever is needed to do to make sure McCoy is successful.

“He definitely knows his way around here,” Blakeney said with a grin. “He will get all the support we can give him. I am always proud to see guys that we had as assistants go on to be successful…even in spite of me.”

Over the last 15 years, McCoy’s coaching carousel has made stops at Prattville, Northview, Daleville and now Charles Henderson. Along the way, he has garnered a reputation as a stout offensive schemer, but Blakeney feels McCoy’s strongest asset is his ability to interact with his players.

“Brad is a player’s coach, there is no doubt about it,” Blakeney said. “He is able to get across to the kids better than a lot of guys out there. He has had a great career so far, and I’m sure he will do good things here.”

McCoy got his start on Blakeney’s staff and later moved on to Prattville High School. At Prattville, he served as an assistant to current UAB head coach Bill Clark.

McCoy feels the time spent on Blakeney’s staff at Troy and the stint under Clark at Prattville have been beneficial to him throughout his career.

“Winning is all that I know,” McCoy said. “I have been very blesses to work under some great coaches, like Coach Blakeney and Coach Clark. I worked with Coach Blakeney for four years and Coach Clark for right at seven. They were great mentors to me, and taught me about how to treat young men, how to run a program, and teach and coach. I don’t think I could have had any better mentors than those two amazing men.”