STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) — President Obama’s next chief of staff could be a man who grew up in Minnesota.

Denis McDonough is currently one of the president’s closest national security advisers. People familiar with the White House thinking say Obama will likely pick McDonough, however an official decision has not been made.

The 43-year-old McDonough grew up with 10 other siblings and was an all-conference defensive back who graduated from Stillwater Area High School in 1988. He played football at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., graduating summa cum laude. He received his master’s degree from Georgetown University.

McDonough would replace current White House chief of staff Jack Lew, the president’s nominee for treasury secretary.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)