Coaches
Head Coach
Jim Gatewood
2024 marks the 18th 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. Â His infield frequently finished in the top 20 defensively, including the 2004 group that finished third in the country with a .969 fielding percentage. Â In 2002 he coached Johnny Bench Award Winner, Jeremy Brown. Â From 1990 to 1998 he served as the head coach at Richardson High School. Â 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. Â 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. Â Overall, his record as a college assistant is 387-213 (.645). Â Over his 17 years at MNHS his record is 289-170 (.630), giving him a total of 404 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 33 years and have two daughters, Rachel (27) and Grace (22).
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. Â During his time at Alabama, the team accomplished: Â 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). Â He has also coached 10+ major leaguers over his career, including MLB all-stars David Robertson and Alex Avila.
Michael Cowart is in his 12th year of coaching and his first 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.
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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 and kayaking. He is excited to join the winning tradition that is McKinney North Baseball.
Assistant Varsity CoachMichael Cowart
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 29th 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 3rd year at McKinney North, where he is also the Outside Linebacker Coach.
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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 two kids. Their daughter Maddie (25) is the Marketing Coordinator at Grayson College, and their son Rawley (21) who is a Junior Pitcher at the University of Texas at Tyler.
In his spare time.....you can find Coach trying to find more time with his family.
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Coach Hector is the winningest Baseball Coach at both Gilmer and Anna HS
Assistant Varsity CoachJoey Hector
Assistant Varsity CoachCoach Hector
Coach Hector is entering his 29th 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 3rd year at McKinney North, where he is also the Outside Linebacker Coach.
EDUCATION & FAMILY:
Coach Hector 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 two kids. Their daughter Maddie (25) is the Marketing Coordinator at Grayson College, and their son Rawley (21) who is a Junior 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
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.
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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.
Junior Varsity 2 Head CoachEddie McMillan
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.