Keokuk High School announced this week that Jomarre “JoJo” McNair will take over as head coach of the football program for the 2026 season, inheriting a squad that finished last year with a 1‑5 record and has endured four straight losing campaigns since its last winning stretch in 2020‑21.
A Coach With a Dual‑Sport Legacy
McNair arrives after a season as an assistant under Jeff Bair, bringing with him a reputation forged in both football and baseball at Wartburg College, where he earned all‑conference honors as a dual‑sport athlete.
A native of Joliet, Illinois, McNair starred at Joliet Central before his collegiate career, and his return to the Midwest is seen as a chance to reconnect with the community that once cheered his performances on the diamond and the gridiron.
The returning core includes quarterback Jadyn Burton, who threw for 2,191 yards and 25 touchdowns last year, and running back Jarod Anderson, who contributed 282 rushing yards and a touchdown. Wide receivers Kurt Joy and Antonio Crockett will be his primary targets, while the defense will lean on Anderson, Joy, Crockett, Clark and Kyler Beelman, all of whom gained valuable snaps in the previous season.
Coaches and teammates alike say McNair’s blend of experience and local ties gives him a unique perspective on how to turn the tide, and the school board hopes his leadership will translate into a winning record sooner rather than later.
With the first practice sessions approaching, the team is focusing on building chemistry and refining strategies that can capitalize on the offensive firepower returning at the skill positions. Defensive cohesion will be a key emphasis, as the coaching staff works to transform the unit into a more consistent threat.