Dru Emerson hired to coach McKenzie girls basketball, replacing John Wilkins

Dru Emerson was promoted from assistant coach for McKenzie girls basketball and will take over the program, the school announced in a social media post Friday.

Emerson replaces John Wilkins, who was hired by Brentwood Academy on Thursday. Wilkins won back-to-back Class 1A state championships in 2022 and 2023 and guided one player to win the Miss Basketball award twice in guard Savannah Davis (2022, 2024).

The 2023-24 season was Emerson's first as an assistant with the Rebels. The Rebels were knocked out of the playoffs in the regional semifinals by Wayne County after an 18-7 record.

Emerson was the coach at Carroll Academy for four seasons (2020-23) and has worked as an assistant at high schools in Alabama and Florida. He was also the interim head coach for Henry County in 2005-06.

Wilkins coached both the boys and the girls teams at McKenzie. A hire for the boys team has not yet been announced.