Michael Peters, the legendary McClymonds football coach who retired in December 2023, has decided to return to the sidelines. Peters, who has led the Warriors to four state championships and 11 consecutive league titles, announced his decision on Wednesday, citing the needs of his players and the community as the primary reasons for his return.
“The community did,” Peters told the Bay Area News Group when asked who convinced him to come back. “And the kids need me. I need to get them back in study hall and those things.”
Peters, who graduated from McClymonds in 1986, has been the school’s outreach coordinator since 2012. He also coaches girls flag football and track and field at Mack.
“There’s always stuff on my plate,” Peters said. “My blood pressure is down, but I’ve got to think about my health too. I’m doing too much, so I’ve got to cut back on something.”
Despite not having a consistent passing attack and having a shaky offensive line, the Oakland powerhouse was still somehow a few plays away from making a sixth consecutive state championship game. With four of the five other Oakland Athletic League schools having either first- or second-year coaches, a section championship and a spot in a regional game is still the expectation for Mack.
However, Peters said that he sees this year as a reset for the program. He mentioned that his last few teams have slipped from a work-ethic standpoint, and wants to restore the hard-working culture that made McClymonds championship winners.
“Yes, we want to put together a championship season, but what I want is to get the kid’s focus back, because Mack hasn’t been focused in a minute,” Peters said. “That’s what we’re going to get back.”
