Quincey McAdoo giving back to hometown post-football career

Quincey McAdoo was living the dream that most kids who grew up playing football in Arkansas work their entire childhood for.

The Clarendon native had a breakout freshman year with the Razorbacks in 2022 after switching positions from wide receiver to defensive back during the season. He earned Freshman All-SEC honors, compiling 30 tackles, including 20 solo, a sack, four pass breakups, two interceptions and blocked a punt while helping Arkansas win the Liberty Bowl 55-53 in three overtimes against Kansas.

Little did anyone know, that game would be the last he ever played. A car accident south of Fayetteville on Interstate 49 in May of 2023 caused McAdoo’s vehicle to roll over and though he did not suffer anything life-threatening, an injury to his spine eventually left him with no choice but to medically retire from football. Reports came out in January of 2024 that he received a medical hardship and was stepping away, but he officially confirmed it that March.

“Humbling is the best word to describe it,” McAdoo told HawgBeat in an exclusive interview. “I had to keep myself from falling into a depression because football was all I knew.”

Now over two years removed from playing the game he loves, McAdoo is back home in Clarendon. He was recently hired to be a Career Coach for the Lions, helping students achieve their goals both in their current life as well as post-graduation.

Quincey McAdoo returns to Clarendon during trying time

Following his retirement from football, McAdoo remained in classes at Fayetteville for the 2024-2025 school year to continue pursuing his communications degree.

Considering all of his school work was being done virtually and he was not playing football, thoughts of moving back home to east Arkansas entered McAdoo’s mind.

“Since my online work transferred there was not really a point for me to be in Fayetteville,” the former four-star prospect said. “If I was not going to be on campus or playing football then there is something in my hometown that I can do. When school started back up it opened an opportunity for me.”

McAdoo is on pace to graduate next spring.

Due to the alleged evil actions of one person, the Clarendon community has recently endured unfathomable circumstances. With a fresh start in a new season upcoming for the Lion players, McAdoo’s reminder to them has been to focus on what they can control.

“Right now I am not qualified to coach, but my role has been to remind them to stay coachable,” McAdoo said. “It is chaos right now and it is no secret to anybody what is going on in Clarendon. I am just motivating the kids to be the best every day.”

Other duties that McAdoo’s job entails is ensuring that students take care of their business in the classroom.

“I have access to grades and schedules and get reports if they are slacking in class or having behavior problems,” McAdoo said. “I will pull them out of class to talk to them at least once a week to see how their progress is coming along.”

McAdoo is still weighing his options on whether or not he wants to coach once he has the official certifications.

“Coaching crosses my mind a whole bunch, but it is a different type of love for the game as a coach,” McAdoo said. “I do love the game, obviously, but I am exploring my options because my major is so broad so I have not looked at every opportunity.”

Little eyes are always watching

Shortly after McAdoo was released from the hospital following one of his final surgeries, he received news from his girlfriend that he was going to be a father.

“Two weeks after they let me out she told me we were expecting,” McAdoo said. “I had to man up without being a man at the moment.”

Facing yet another life-changing event in such a short time, McAdoo relied on his family and faith.

“I cannot thank my family enough for never letting me forget who I was,” McAdoo said. “The one thing I have truly learned through this whole thing is do not forget God.”

McAdoo sees a spitting image of himself every time he looks at his offspring.

“It is like looking in the mirror, he looks just like me and I feel like I am raising myself,” McAdoo said of his now one year old.

McAdoo and his family plan on settling in Clarendon for the time being and on top of playing a role in helping kids navigate through immense adversity, the football program has experienced its share of rough moments.

The Lions won nine games and made it to the 2A semifinals during McAdoo’s senior season in 2021, then notched six wins in 2022, but have won only two games in as many seasons including going winless last fall.

“Not to tarnish anyone, but I know last year just coming back and watching the games you could tell the boys were not together,” McAdoo said. “My first day here I got everybody’s contact. I started a group chat and titled it ‘Brotherhood’.

“That was big when I was here, so my message right now is to hold each other accountable. If you are held accountable by somebody that is leading by example then I do not think anyone can fail.”

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