Miles Brown never even entertained the thought of being a head football coach. He had served as an interim head coach before and that was as close to running his own football program that Brown wanted.

That all changed when the citizens and supporters of McKenzie School reached out and asked that he return to his alma mater to rebuild a struggling football program.

Brown answered the community's plea, and Thursday night the Butler County Board of Education approved Superintendent Mike Looney's recommendation to bring one of McKenzie's own back home.

&#8220My heart has always been with McKenzie,” Brown said. &#8220It was an opportunity, and I couldn't close a door on my heart.”

Brown takes over for interim head football coach Timothy Moorer, who stepped in when David Kirkland resigned as head coach midway through the season last year. Brown, who still lives in McKenzie, served as offensive coordinator at Pleasant Home for the last three seasons.

If there is anyone who believes that Brown can be successful at McKenzie it is new Greenville head football coach Bryant Vincent, who was also trying to recruit Brown to join his football staff.

&#8220He's extremely organized and a hard worker,” Vincent said. &#8220He's a student of the game. It was a no-brainer to try to hire him.”

While McKenzie has seen a whirlwind of turnover at the head football coaching position, Brown said that he hopes the day of consistent turnover at the Class 1A school is over.

&#8220I'm there as long as they want me to be there,” he said. &#8220I want to bring stability to the program and establish pride. I want those school colors to mean something.”

In fact Brown got to work on stressing the school's colors over the last couple of weeks by repainting the field house and making other improvements to the fieldhouse.

&#8220I have a lot of love for that school,” he added. &#8220I hope I can spread that love over to the boys, and they, in turn, can bring pride back to the school.”

Greg Griffin, vice president for the McKenzie Quarterback Club, said that he was impressed with Brown's enthusiasm and determination to succeed.

&#8220I am extremely pleased with the hiring of Coach Brown and excited about the future of our football program,” Griffin said. &#8220(He) is a devoted family man and dedicated and caring educator and coach.”

Before his three-year stint at Pleasant Home, Brown served as interim coach at Sweet Water High in 2001 before current head coach Stacy Luker took over the program.

Vincent said that he expects tremendous support from the McKenzie community now that it has one of their own to lead the football program.

&#8220He's always loved McKenzie,” Vincent said. &#8220He has a lot of pride in that school, and to me, that says a lot about what kind of person he is. The community now needs to get behind him and support him and those kids whether it be through the good times or the bad.”