Johnny “John El” McCaa was born and raised in Rayville, Louisiana to Mary Jackson and Archie McCaa. He was also reared by his grandparents, Hayward and Izora Jackson.
Johnny attended Rayville Rosenwald and Eula D. Britton High Schools. He played all sports and was coached by Donzell Brewster and Melvin Rogers.
Johnny graduated high school and in 1962 he graduated from Grambling College, now Grambling State University. Playing for President R.W.E. Jones with Coach Eddie Robinson being his assistant is when his passion for coaching grew. It is said he critiqued Coach Robinson and “Prez” on a daily basis.
After college McCaa enlisted in the U.S. Army from California, where he was residing. While in the Army, during football and baseball seasons, he became what is now called Director of Football Operations. The job included scouting and charting college and military teams on his team’s schedule.
McCaa’s high school coaching career had its beginning in 1965 at Alto High in Richland Parish. In September 1965, he became Head Coach and Athletic Director at Union Central High in Columbia, Louisiana. During that time he won three district championships. In 1971, he was moved to Caldwell High School where he coached football, basketball and baseball becoming the head coach in each sport.
McCaa’s teams won two state championships and in one stretch won nine consecutive district titles. In 1985 he became Head Coach of football and Athletic Director. During his tenure two playoff appearances were made. In 1988 with an 8-2 record his team missed the playoffs because there were no power point rankings.
In the Spring of 1990, McCaa had the great privilege of moving to Carroll High School and becoming Head Football Coach and Athletic Director under Principals Julian Gray and Louise Dunbar.
At Carroll High, his team won three district titles with two being undefeated. During his time at Carroll High, there were nine appearances in the state playoffs including one semi-final and three quarter-finals. In 1997, he was named Administrative Assistant along with coaching and athletic duties. Those years at Carroll were some of the highlights of his teaching and coaching career.
He truly thanks God for the support of family, student athletes and administrators for a forty-two year career as an educator. Honors include Ouachita Parish coach of the year in 1990, four district Coach of the Year awards and two State Coach of the Year awards from Caldwell Parish.
Johnny is married to Debora Rice McCaa who has never missed a game during his coaching career. They are the parents of two children, Andrea McCaa Reed and Earl Robinson. Two grandchildren Earl Ellis (who ran track at Carroll) and Makayla J. Reed, one great grandchild and son in law, Michael Reed.
Johnny is a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church of Rayville and a loyal member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.