MD Jennings' NFL success plays role in success with Calhoun City

WATCH: Calhoun City HC MD Jennings led the Wildcats to the 2A state title in his first year.

He says his NFL success has played a role in his coaching success.

In his first season as the head coach of calhoun city& former nfl safety m.d.

Jennings led the wildcats to their first state championship appearance since 2016& not a bad first campaign..

His personal journey is a big reason for the success& and he fell in love with the process... ???take pkg???

00-05 1:20-1:25 jennings says: "the biggest thing was getting the kids to trust me.

Once they realized that i was going to try my best to put them in a position to be successful, and once i gained the trust of the kids, they started to understand and listen."

Jennings went to and played for calhoun city& continued his football career at arkansas state& signed with the green bay packers as an undrafted free agent..

???take nats???

He was in the nfl for five years& his background and underdog mentality is a big reason the wildcats had the year that they did jennings says: "i've wildcats had the year that they did jennings says: "i've been in a lot of great systems, have had a lot of great coaches and played with a lot of great players.

That's what i tell the kids all the time is that a lot of people don't understand the hard work and dedication that it takes off the field.

Preparing yourself mentally and physically and having your body ready to play at the highest level."

The 32-year old says his familiarity with his hometown helps him relate to his kids jennings says: "i understand those kids.

I grew up in the same neighborhood and school system.

I understand the things they did in the school system and off the field also.

Lee says: "he has a really good relationship with all of the guys.

He tells us what to do and he played at the highest level so you really want to listen to what he says."

Jennings says: "it really means a lot to be able to see these young kids turn into young men."

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On cam tag???

Calhoun city fell short to taylorsville in the 2a state title game& we caught up with jennings afterwards... he said how proud he was of his players& when we asked if they'd be back he said there was no doubt about it&