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Tech Names Mac McWhorter to Coach Offensive Line

ATLANTA (Jan. 7) – Mac McWhorter, who served a six-year tour of duty coaching the offensive line at Georgia Tech in the 1980’s, is returning to Tech to coach its offensive line, head coach George O’Leary announced Friday.

A native of Atlanta, McWhorter spent the past season as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at the University of Memphis, which posted a 5-6 overall record and 4-2 in Conference USA.

“This is my home and all of my family is here, and this is where I started my college coaching career,” said McWhorter. “We’ve been in a lot of places across the Southeast, and this is a great opportunity to come back to a program that I know well. I love the people here.”

Said O’Leary, “I’m happy to have Mac back here at Georgia Tech and we’re fortunate to get a man of his talent and experience. He’s been in coaching for 26 years and has done a tremendous job everywhere he’s been. He’s very familiar with Georgia Tech and has great knowledge of football in this state.”

Prior to his stint at Memphis, McWhorter, 49, coached the offensive line and tight ends at Clemson for three seasons and was responsible for developing 1997 Clemson all-America lineman Jim Bundren. The Tigers led the ACC in rushing in 1996 and ranked second in 1997 and McWhorter was credited for the strong play of the offensive line.

McWhorter began his college coaching career at Georgia Tech in 1980, when he was named to head coach Bill Curry’s staff. From 1980 to 1981 he coached receivers and was the special teams coordinator for the Yellow Jackets. During the 1981 and 1982 seasons, he served as offensive line and special teams coach and also took over the duties of recruiting coordinator. McWhorter became assistant head coach in 1985 and the team received a bid to the All-American Bowl and posted a 9-2-1 record.

“The biggest area I think that has grown since I was here last is the facilities, which are tremendous,” said McWhorter. “The program has progressed in every area, from facilities to the team on the field. This is one of the top programs in the country, and it has been proven the last couple of years.”

In 1987, he moved to Alabama with Bill Curry and Rip Scherer, currently the Memphis head coach, where he served as assistant head coach and offensive line coach for the Tide. Alabama was ranked in the top 20 during his tenure and participated in the Sun Bowl.

McWhorter left Alabama in 1989 to become head football coach at West Georgia College. In 1990, he joined the staff at Duke University and after one season as offensive line coach, returned to his alma mater.

McWhorter coached for five years at Georgia before moving to Clemson in 1996. While at Georgia, he coached the offensive line and helped the Bulldogs establish a school record for yards per rush with an average of 5.6 yards per carry. The 1993 team completed 63 percent of its passes, also a school record. The 1994 Georgia squad completed a school record 25 touchdowns passes and set the mark for total offense with 5,135 yards, an average of 487 per game.

McWhorter graduated from Therrell High School in Atlanta in 1969, where he played football and ran track. He attended the University of Georgia on football scholarship and received his bachelor’s degree in education in 1974. He was a three-year letterman for the Bulldogs as an offensive player and was an All-Academic Southeastern Conference selection in 1972 and 1973.

In 1973, McWhorter was an Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference offensive guard and received honorable mention all-America acclaim. He also served as permanent captain of the 1973 squad, while maintaining the highest GPA on the football team. Georgia played in the 1971 Gator Bowl and the 1973 Peach Bowl during his career.

Before entering the college ranks, McWhorter coached six years on the high school level. He served as an assistant coach at Duluth (Ga.) High School in 1974, and at Douglas County (Ga.) High School between 1975-78 before becoming the head coach at Villa Rica (Ga.) High School in 1979, where he was named Carroll County Coach of the Year.

He and his wife, the former Becky Gomez, have three children, Kasay, 24, Katie, 16, and Mac, 14.

Mac McWhorter File

Born: Atlanta, Ga.
Birthdate: 6-17-50
Alma Mater: Georgia, 1973
Athletics: 4-year football letterman at offensive guard
Wife: Becky McWhorter
Children: Kasay, 24, Katie, 16, and Mac, 14
Coaching Experience: Memphis (1999), Clemson (1996-98), Georgia (1991-95), Duke (1990), West Georgia (1989), Alabama (1987-88), Georgia Tech (1980-86), Villa Rica High School (1979), Douglas County High School (75-78), Duluth High School (1974)

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