McKeesport hadn't hired a new football coach in almost three decades.

The school hopes it has a Jim dandy.

McKeesport hired Jim Ward as its new coach Wednesday night. He takes over for George Smith, who retired after 28 seasons and 197 wins.

Ward was Yough's coach last season. His other previous head-coaching experience came at South Allegheny from 2000-02.

But Ward also has been an assistant coach with two other WPIAL teams that were highly successful. He was an assistant at Clairton and also Jeannette during the Terrelle Pryor days.

Elsewhere in WPIAL football coaching, Carlynton has hired North Allegheny assistant John Vaughan as its new head coach. Vaughan also has been an assistant at Central Catholic, Seneca Valley, Shady Side Academy and Penn Hills.

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