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The Kentucky High School Athletic Association doesn’t keep records on such things, but Daniel McDonald likely has become the youngest head football coach in Kentucky.

Waggener athletic director Glen Zell announced Tuesday that the 22-year-old McDonald has been hired to take over the Wildcats program.

“We trust 18-year-old men to fight wars,” McDonald said. “This isn’t life and death. This is coaching football. I will be a role model for these young men, and I’m well-qualified. I may not have as much coaching experience as some other guys … but I know what I’m doing.

“This will be a new era for Waggener football. There are great things to come.”

McDonald, who will turn 23 on Jan. 5, is a 2007 Waggener graduate. He played football and baseball there and went on to play baseball at Indiana University Southeast.

He has one year of coaching experience on the high school level, coaching wide receivers and defensive backs at Bullitt East last season.

McDonald replaces Robert Ross, who went 5-28 in three seasons. Waggener hasn’t had a winning season since finishing 10-2 in 2004.

McDonald admitted it might take “a couple of years” to get Waggener back on the winning track.

“One thing we can focus on right off the bat is being competitive on and off the field,” he said. “And being competitive off the field is something we can start doing right now. That means being good students and having high-character people and doing things the right way. That will be our first priority, and then winning will take care of itself.”

http://blogs.courier-journal.com/khs/201...-waggener/