PLANO – Jaydon McCullough, an assistant football coach at Plano since 1993, was chosen Tuesday as the storied program's new head coach.

The Plano school board must approve the hiring. It meets March 4.

McCullough, 45, a Plano alumnus, replaces Gerald Brence, who was 120-70-1 in 16 seasons at the school. He was promoted to athletic director of the school district.

McCullough, who played for legendary coach Tom Kimbrough, is Plano's fourth head coach since 1959. The last four coaches – Tom Gray, John Clark, Kimbrough and Brence – all won at least one state championship.

Brence was part of a four-person panel that chose McCullough, who had been assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. Others who said they interviewed were South Garland coach Mickey Moss, Lake Highlands coach Scott Smith and former DeSoto coach Dave Meadows.

McCullough and Moss were interviewed for a second time Tuesday. Hours later, McCullough was introduced as the new coach before the team's off-season workout in the school's indoor practice facility. McCullough spoke to the team for a few minutes.

Plano, which has won seven state championships, went 13-2 last season (Brence's last), losing in the state semifinals to eventual Class 5A Division I champion Euless Trinity.

"I'm a little bit in shock," McCullough said. "I'm very blessed. I'm very humbled. I'm very excited about the opportunity.

"And, I'm a little bit overwhelmed. I want to do a good job."

Quarterback Carson Meger, running back Rex Burkhead and wide receiver Kris Lott are among the players who will return for Plano next season. All three players had record-setting seasons in a new spread offense that McCullough helped install last season.

"We love Coach McCullough," Burkhead said. "We believe he was the right fit. He brings a lot of intensity. His schemes. His mind-set. We believe he's a great coach."

Said Brence: "I've admired his coaching skill and ability to relate to student-athletes for many years," Brence said. "Our program is taking a big step forward today."

Brence praised McCullough's supervision of Plano's off-season program, and McCullough said that helped him prepare for his new job.

"It gave me confidence," McCullough said. "I've already been doing the job I applied for."