Michael McCarty joined the LaGrange College football coaching staff prior to the 2023 season.
Heading into the 2026 season, McCarty enters his fourth year as the Panthers' Offensive Coordinator. Since joining the Panthers, McCarty has played an integral role in the development of the program’s offensive identity and has helped guide the continued growth and success of LaGrange College football.
During the historic 2025 season, McCarty lead an offensive unit that was a major contributor to the most successful season in program history. The Panthers finished 10-2 overall, went undefeated in USA South Conference play at 7-0, captured the first USA South Conference Championship in program history, and earned the program’s first NCAA playoff victory. Under McCarty’s direction, LaGrange produced one of the top offensive seasons in school history, averaging 30.0 points per game and 382.9 yards per game while totaling 4,595 yards of total offense. The Panthers finished the season with 2,622 passing yards, 1,973 rushing yards, and 46 total touchdowns, showcasing a balanced offensive attack that helped propel the program to a conference championship and national playoff appearance.
The success of the Panther offense was also recognized across the conference, with multiple offensive players earning USA South postseason honors, including USA South Offensive Rookie of the Year. Under McCarty’s leadership, the LaGrange offense continued to develop playmakers and produce one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Prior to joining LaGrange College, McCarty served as the Head Football Coach at his alma mater, Sumiton Christian High School. During his tenure, his offense became one of the top-producing offenses in Alabama Class 1A football, showcasing his ability to develop efficient and explosive offensive systems.
Before coaching at Sumiton Christian, McCarty served as the Head Football Coach at Point University, an NAIA Division I institution competing in the Sun Conference. In his first season with the Skyhawks in 2015, McCarty was named Sun Conference Coach of the Year after leading Point to a historic 9-2 regular season record and a perfect 5-0 mark against Sun Conference opponents. The turnaround was one of the most impressive in program history, as Point improved from a 1-9 record the previous season to one of the top teams in the conference.
Under McCarty’s leadership, Point University earned its first conference championship, achieved its first NAIA Top 25 ranking, finished the season ranked No. 17 nationally, and made the first NAIA Football Championship Series playoff appearance in program history. The Skyhawks also set a school record for wins in a single season.
Offensively, Point ranked among the top teams in the NAIA in multiple statistical categories during the 2015 season, including passing efficiency (151.4), passing yards per game (265.5), total offense (435.9 yards per game), scoring offense (437 total points), points per game (39.7), and sacks allowed (12). The Skyhawks scored at least 40 points in six games during the 2015 season after reaching that mark only four times combined during the program’s first three seasons.
Prior to Point University, McCarty spent seven seasons coaching at the University of West Alabama, an NCAA Division II program competing in the Gulf South Conference. During his time with the Tigers, he served in multiple roles, including coaching a position group and special teams units, recruiting, game planning, football operations, admissions, financial aid, housing, and video operations.
In 2013, McCarty helped lead West Alabama to back-to-back Gulf South Conference Championships, the first time in program history the Tigers had accomplished the feat. The historic season included 22 Gulf South Conference and school single-game and season records, along with 20 all-conference selections.
A former standout wide receiver, McCarty played at Troy University from 2001-2004 before transferring to the University of West Alabama. He completed his playing career with the Tigers while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. He continued his education at the University of West Alabama, earning a Master of Arts in Teaching Physical Education.
McCarty is a member of the Walker County Sports Hall of Fame and brings more than two decades of playing and coaching experience to the LaGrange College football program. Throughout his career, he has helped develop successful offensive units at the high school, NAIA, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division III levels.
He currently resides in Opelika, Alabama, with his wife, Tera.
