Like father, like son. Or in this case, the son replaces the father.
Marcus Peters, a three-time Pro Bowl pick and nine-year NFL veteran, was named the head football coach at Oakland Section and state small-school power McClymonds.
He replaces his father Michael Peters, who stepped down for a second time after last season, his 33rd on the McClymonds staff including the past 13 as the head coach. The Warriors went 11-3 last season, losing in the CIF Division 3-A state finals 42-25 to Kennedy-Delano (Kern County).
McClymonds was after its fifth state title, all under Peters who never lost a game on the field to an Oakland Athletic League opponent. His record as head coach was 142-24.
He hands the job over to his son, who was a volunteer assistant the past two seasons, according to a press release from the Oakland Unified School District.
Marcus Peters, 33, was an All-Metro star for McClymonds, from where he graduated from in 2011. He was also MVP of the OAL his senior season when he had seven interceptions and scored six touchdowns on returns.
“We are excited to see him now step into the role of head coach,” the news release said. “His experience at the highest level of the game, combined with his deep connection to our school, makes this truly an exciting moment for our football family.”
At the University of Washington, Marcus Peters started eight of 13 games as a redshirt freshman, had five interceptions as a sophomore and as a junior was dismissed from the team for disciplinary issues.
The Kansas City Chiefs made him the No. 18 pick in 2015 draft, and he was voted the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording eight interceptions in 16 games.
In his NFL career, he had 33 interceptions, 389 tackles, 12 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and eight defensive touchdowns.
Michael Peters retired from McClymonds after the 2023 season, but returned due to what he deemed “encouragement” and “pressure,” from the West Oakland community, McClymonds’ family and from Marcus himself.
Marcus “didn’t want me to leave,” Michael Peters said at the time.
He coached two more seasons, going a combined 21-8 while playing a ramped up schedule. McClymonds, with just 265 students, played much larger schools, losing to nonleague games to Riordan (41-18) and California-San Ramon (28-20). McClymonds rolled through the OAL again in 2025, including a 34-0 victory over Oakland Tech for its 16th straight Silver Bowl/Oakland Section title.
Freelance writer Mitch Stephens has covered high school sports for the Chronicle since 2001. Email: mitch@scorebooklive.com