Canton Welcomes New Head Coach for McKinley Bulldogs
CANTON — Exciting news for the Canton McKinley Bulldogs as the Canton City Schools Board of Education has officially hired Renard “Renzy” Parnell II as the new head football coach. The board approved the decision with a unanimous 5-0 vote during a meeting on Monday evening.
Parnell takes over the program after Antonio Hall, the previous head coach, resigned following a successful four-year tenure, during which he led the team to a 31-20 record. Last season, the Bulldogs finished with an 8-5 record, securing a share of their third consecutive Federal League championship, although they faced a tough loss against Mentor in the regional semifinals, ultimately falling 31-0.
Bringing a wealth of experience to McKinley, Parnell has spent the last ten years as the defensive coordinator for the Akron Hoban Knights. His journey in coaching began in 2006 when he joined Hoban’s staff as a linebackers coach. Over the last decade, Parnell has been a significant part of Hoban’s rise to becoming one of Ohio’s elite football programs, contributing to a remarkable 130-16 record that included five state championships and three state runners-up.
Under Parnell’s defensive guidance, Hoban gained a reputation for their strong defensive play, allowing an average of only 11.6 points per game during his last ten years there. A 1999 graduate of Akron Garfield High School and a 2004 graduate of Kent State University, Parnell also played football at both institutions, further emphasizing his passion for the sport.
The Canton McKinley Bulldogs community looks forward to seeing how Parnell’s experience and skills will shape the future of the team as they aim for continued success on the field.
