Former Shiloh Christian (Arkansas) head football coach Jeff Conaway taking job at The First Academy (Florida)
By Nate Olson | Photo by Jimmy Jones
Shiloh Christian head football coach Jeff Conaway wasn’t looking for a new job, but an opportunity found him.
He announced on social media Monday morning he had resigned his post. He told SBLive Arkansas in the afternoon he has taken the head-coaching job at The First Academy in Orlando, Fla. The school is connected to Orlando First Baptist Church. In addition to serving as head football coach, he will begin his tenure as associate athletic director for the Royals and after football season will shift to the athletic director position.
“It certainly wasn’t a job I was looking for,” Conaway said. “But when they revealed what they currently have and where they were going, I became very interested. It became a very intriguing possibility for me. The more we looked, the more excited we got. The more we looked, the more we felt like God was opening the door and calling us there. There have been so many stories and so many illustrations and so many signs that showed that this was right for me and my family, and we are excited to see what is going to happen.”
Also, this afternoon, The First Academy announced via social media the resignation of longtime head coach Leroy Kinard. According to the school's tweet, Kinard coached for 20 years at the small private school, including the past 16 as the head coach, amassing a 126-51 record and qualifying for the FHSAA playoffs 13 times.
Kinard’s teams won five district championships. During his tenure, 60 players went on to play college football.
In the release, current Royals AD Will Cohen praised Kinard for leading “dozens of students to faith in Jesus Christ.” He added, “[Kinard] is a man of strong character and integrity I will be forever grateful.”
In nine seasons at the private school located Springdale, Ark., Conaway, who compiled a 99-23 record, not only won big during the regular season but helped the Saints to state championship games the past four seasons. The Saints lost to Joe T. Robinson in the 2019 Class 4A state title game but rebounded with a win against Rivercrest in 2020 – the tradition-rich school’s first championship since 2010. In 2021, Robinson again bested Shiloh Christian for the 4A crown.
It was last season that might have been Conaway’s best coaching job. Class 6A Little Rock Christian drubbed the Saints in the season opener, but they didn’t lose again until the Class 5A state championship game. Because of their success at the 4A level, the Saints were pushed to 5A in 2022 because of the Arkansas Activities Association Competitive Equity Factor but didn’t miss a beat.
It's that success that The First Academy is banking on Conaway bringing to central Florida.
“I don’t think they have achieved the kind of success they really want,” Conaway said. “There is a foundation that exists there that we can build on, and I think we can achieve some success they have never seen.”
Conaway said he was surprised by the spontaneous courtship but is convinced the school is committed to taking the program to new heights.
“I didn’t know they existed two weeks ago,” he said. “I think what is new is they have a new drive to be successful in football, so they are hiring me to be the football coach. Their commitment to me and my family just confirms they are serious. I want to be in a place that strives to win state championships, just like we are here at Shiloh. They’ve convinced me that that is what they want to do, so we are going to go down there and give it a shot.”
Shiloh Christian football is synonymous with winning in Arkansas. The Saints have won eight state championships, and current UCF head coach Gus Malzahn was the father of the dynasty with back-to-back state championships in 1998-99. Malzahn was 63-8-1 in five seasons and 56-2-1 in his final four seasons which followed a debut 6-6 season in 1996. The Saints hadn't advanced past the second round of the playoffs before Malzahn made his arrival.
Three other coaches, including Josh Floyd, who quarterbacked Malzahn’s title teams, have won state championships at Shiloh Christian.
The Saints are again expected to make a deep playoff run with several key players returning, making the move even tougher.
“The Shiloh football program has never been healthier,” Conaway said. “From the top all the way down to kindergarten – we are investing in those kids, and they are well-trained and understand what we are trying to do. They do it with confidence. They’re fast, physical and focused, and they’ve got an incredible administration in Keith McDaniel (superintendent) and Brad Unger (secondary principal) and a seven-million-dollar indoor facility that is going to be better than any other in the state of Arkansas.
“They sky’s the limit for them. They are growing, and they are building. They are doing it the right way. God’s hand is on that program, and it is a special, special time to be at Shiloh Christian. This may be one of the strangest career moves I’ve ever made, but when God is involved, sometimes he requires you to do strange things.”
Conaway, who is meeting with his new team Tuesday morning, said goodbye to his old team Monday morning.
“There were a lot of tears and hugs, and a lot of, ‘I’m proud of you coach,’ whispered in my ear,’” Conaway said. “That will be a moment I never forget.”
One of those expressing his gratitude was rising senior star running back Bo Williams, an all-state performer, who racked up 2,210 all-purpose yards and 34 touchdowns in 2022.
“I’ve been with Coach Conaway since the eighth grade,” he said. “With this being my senior year, we have become even closer. He is a father figure to me. Yes, it is emotional, but it would be extremely selfish for me to get in the way of God’s calling. I am very happy for him and his family. I know he will always be there, and I can talk to him any time, but the distance will be hard.”
As of Monday night, the Shiloh Christian administration hadn’t publicly announced who will be leading football workouts this week, but all-conference center Mason Harris said it doesn’t matter, and that he will be at the weight room at 7 a.m. Tuesday for the customary two-and-half hour workout the Saints partake in four days a week in the summer.
“Mostly, we just need to keep doing what we can control,” said Harris, who is garnering college recruiting attention as a long snapper. “Winning is what we do here, and as seniors we are going to keep winning and go win state because that is the impact we want to leave on the school. Yeah, it sucks, and it is a little surprising and it is definitely sad to dry him leave, but we are going to do what we do.”
Despite leaving a juggernaut of a program and a strong support, Conaway is convinced he is making the right move exiting his home state and comfort zone.
“There has not been a more difficult day in my 20-year career,” Conaway said. “Because these people – I love them dearly, and they love me and my family. They have taken such good care of me, but when God is orchestrating it, I know the people here at Shiloh are thankful and proud that we are being obedient. We are showing our players. I have been preaching to our players for nine years to spend time with the Lord and let Him lead you, join Him and be obedient and get to know Him more through obedience.
“That is what we are doing. We are choosing our calling over our comfort. There is a peace that is there. God has been gracious to us and has given us an excitement about it. We are ready to get down there and get to work.”
