Coaches
Head Coach
Jim Gatewood
2025 marks the 19th year at McKinney North for Coach Jim Gatewood. As head coach of the Bulldogs, he has led the Bulldogs to four district championships and a trip to the State Quarterfinals. Prior to McKinney North, Coach Gatewood was an assistant at the University of Alabama from 1998-2006 where he served as third base coach, while also coaching the infielders and catchers. His infield frequently finished in the top 20 defensively, including the 2004 group that finished third in the country with a .969 fielding percentage. In 2002 he coached Johnny Bench Award Winner, Jeremy Brown. From 1990 to 1998 he served as the head coach at Richardson High School. Prior to Richardson he was an assistant coach at Northwestern State Louisiana University in the Southland Conference, where the 1990 team set a then school record with 38 wins and his infield led the country in defense that year with a .980 fielding percentage. Coach Gatewood began his coaching career in 1988 as an assistant at Malvern High School in Arkansas, where he helped lead them to the Arkansas State Semifinals for the first time in school history. Overall, his record as a college assistant is 387-213 (.645). Over his 18 years at MNHS his record is 311-178 (.636), giving him a total of 426 wins as a head coach over the years.
EDUCATION & FAMILY:
Coach Gatewood attended Henderson State University in Arkansas from 1983-1987. There, he was a catcher and was named to the NAIA All District 17 team in 1986. He and his wife Lee have been married for 34 years and have two daughters, Rachel (28) and Grace (23).
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Coach Gatewood is proud to have several notable achievements as the head coach of McKinney North, including: District Champions (2007, 2008, 2013, 2019), State Quarter-Finalist (2009), District Runner Up (2010, 2017, 2023), Area Finalist (2014, 2015, 2016) and Regional Quarter Finalist (2019).
Prior to McKinney North, he was an assistant at the University of Alabama. During his time at Alabama, the team accomplished: Two-50+ win seasons, Four 40+ win seasons, Six NCAA Regional Appearances (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 & 2006), Two NCAA Regional Championships (1999, 2006), Three SEC Tournament Championships (1999, 2002, 2003), One SEC Regular Season Championship (2006), and One College World Series Appearance (1999). He has also coached 10+ major leaguers over his career, including MLB all-stars David Robertson and Alex Avila.
Michael Cowart is in his 14th year of coaching and 4th year at McKinney North. Before coming to North, he coached at Anna, Lake Dallas, and Frisco High School. He spends most of his time working with the pitchers and catchers.
EDUCATION & FAMILY:
Coach Cowart graduated from Austin College with a Bachelor’s in History and Master’s in Teaching. He was a two-sport athlete in football and baseball and a member of the 2007 SCAC Conference Championship team as a pitcher.
He spends his time off the field with his wife, Blaine, son Canon, and daughter Evie.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Baseball Playoff Appearances:Â
2012 Regional Semi-Finalist; 2014 Bi-District Finalist; 2015 Bi-District Finalist; 2016 Regional Semi-Finalist; 2018 Bi-District Finalist; 2023 Bi-District Finalist; 2024 Area Finalist
Football Playoff Appearances:
2015 State Semi-Finalist; 2017 Area Finalist; 2018 Area Finalist; 2019 Regional Finalist; 2020 Regional Finalist.Â
Assistant Varsity CoachMichael Cowart
Michael Cowart is in his 14th year of coaching and his 3rd year at McKinney North. Before coming to North, he coached at Anna, Lake Dallas, and Frisco High School. His favorite coaching memory is from Lake Dallas, where he and the team finished in the State Semifinals in football and Regional Finals in baseball in 2015.
EDUCATION & FAMILY:
Coach Cowart graduated from Austin College with a Bachelor’s in History and Master’s in Teaching. He was a two-sport athlete in football and baseball and a member of the 2007 SCAC Conference Championship team as a pitcher.
He spends his time off the field with his wife, Blaine, and son Canon and enjoys fishing.
Coach Hector is entering his 30th year of coaching, with 26 of those years serving as a Head Baseball Coach. Coach Hector has made stops at Gladewater Union Grove (1995-2001), Gilmer (2001-2010), Longview Spring Hill (2010-2012), and Anna (2012-2021). He is currently in his 4th year at McKinney North, where he is also the Safeties Coach.
EDUCATION & FAMILY:
He went to school at Harmony HS where he won a State Championship his senior year (1990). From there, he went on to play at Lon Morris JC, then to Texarkana JC, and ended his career at Arkansas State University where he earned his Degree in Education in 1995.
He and his wife, Amy, have been married for 28 years and have two kids. Their daughter, Maddie (26) resides in Vancouver Washington with her husband, Alec Benavides. and their son Rawley (22) who is a Senior Pitcher at the University of Texas at Tyler.
In his spare time.....you can find Coach trying to find more time with his family.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Coach Hector is the winningest Baseball Coach at both Gilmer and Anna HS.
Assistant Varsity CoachJoey Hector
Coach Faubion is entering his 3rd year coaching. Before coming to North he coached at LIFE High School in Waxahachie, where he primarily worked with Hitters and middle infield. During that time he also coached the Freshman football team. Here at north he is continuing his role of coaching baseball and freshman football.
Education and Family:
Coach Faubion Graduated from Mckinney North in 2015. He then continued his baseball career at Letourneau University. Graduated from Letourneau University in 2020.
He and his wife Jaci have now been married for a year.
In his spare time he works out at the gym or spends time with his Family.
Accomplishments:
Baseball Playoff appearances: Area Finalist 2023, Bi-district finalist 2024
Junior Varsity Head CoachJacob Faubion
Coach Faubion is entering his 3rd year coaching. Before coming to North he coached at LIFE High School in Waxahachie, where he primarily worked with Hitters and middle infield. During that time he also coached the Freshman football team. Here at north he is continuing his role of coaching baseball and freshman football.
Education and Family:
Coach Faubion Graduated from Mckinney North in 2015. He then continued his baseball career at Letourneau University. Graduated from Letourneau University in 2020.
He and his wife Jaci have now been married for a year.
In his spare time he works out at the gym or spends time with his Family.
Accomplishments:
Baseball Playoff appearances: Area Finalist 2023, Bi-district finalist 2024
Coach Ed McMillan rejoined the McKinney North High School Coaching Staff in 2012. McMillan has vast coaching experience. He coached previously at McKinney North High School in 2008. Prior to that, Ed coached at El Paso Community College from 2001 to 2004. There, he was the 1st Base Coach and also coached the outfield. While at EPCC, the coaching staff led the Tejanos to the NJACC World Series semifinals.
EDUCATION & FAMILY:
Prior to entering his coaching and teaching careers, Ed served our country in the United States Air Force as an F-16 Crew Chief. He has a degree in History from the University Of Texas at El Paso as well as a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Texas A&M, Commerce. Ed currently teaches at Johnson Middle School.
He is married to his lovely wife, Kassie, and has two sons, Mitchell and Jack. When asked, Ed's favorite quote is, “Your culture is not just your tradition. It’s the people in the locker room that carry it on.” Brad Stevens.