Carmel names ex-Bear McKie new coach

One former Chicago Bears player is replacing another as Carmel Catholic's head football coach.

Carmel athletic director Mark Pos announced Thursday that Jason McKie has been tabbed to run the Corsairs. McKie, who started at fullback on the last Bears team to go to the Super Bowl, served as an assistant coach under Blake Annen the last two seasons at Carmel. Annen, a former Bears tight end, resigned at the end of the 2019 season.

McKie played in the NFL from 2002 to 2010, was a member of the Bears from 2003 to 2009 and played in Super Bowl XLI (2006 season) against the Indianapolis Colts. During his professional career, McKie also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens.

"I am very excited to have Jason become our head football coach," Pos said. "His knowledge of the game, the ability to relate to kids, and his passion to change the direction of our football program were among the top reasons he was selected for this high-profile position. I look forward to working with Jason and to his helping make Carmel Catholic a playoff contender."

In 2017, McKie was nominated by the Bears for the NFL's Salute to Service Award. His father served for 21 years in the Air Force, and in 2008 Jason launched the Jason McKie Foundation of the Institute for Science and Health, which focuses on programs in the areas of education and wellness, with an emphasis on making an impact in the lives of families of soldiers. The foundation provides educational scholarships to children and spouses affected by a loss or severely injured parent or spouse.

McKie was a two-time team captain at Temple University, where he also earned Athletic Director's Academic List honors. As a senior at Gulf Breeze High School in Florida, McKie was named Prep Football Final's Offensive Player of the Year. He also won the prep wrestling 5-A state championship.

Carmel went 2-7 this past season after going 4-5 in Annen's first season. The Corsairs have missed the state playoffs each of the last three seasons.