Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Evan Ferguson is coming home and he’s got a job waiting.

The job? Coal Grove Hornets’ head football coach.

In a 5-0 vote by the Dawson-Bryant School Board, the Hornets’ former quarterback and defensive back was named the new football coach.

“I’m excited. Evan is a very good character guy. You could tell as a player he was going to be a good coach. He’s built a good reputation. I saw him call plays in the state championship game at Wayne. He’s very passionate,” said Coal Grove. Principal Dean Mader.

Ferguson replaces Brian Kidd who accepted an administrative job with the Rock Hill school district.

“It’s a great opportunity to be back where it all began. I haven’t been there for a long time but I still call it home. It’s been the dream job to come back home and get it. I’m ready to get going and get started,” said Ferguson.

“I’m tickled to death. I’m excited to have this opportunity. I’m thankful. It’s just an honor. I just wanted to get the chance. I’m lucky and fortunate to get this chance. I hope we have long run.”

Ferguson helped lead the Hornets to their last playoff appearance in 2010. But in the first playoff game at Oak Hill, Ferguson broke his wrist early in the game and the Hornets lost 42-14. Ferguson entered the game 52 of 85 passing for 974 yards and eight touchdowns.

The 2010 Coal Grove graduate played one year of football at Marshall University but then began working as an assistant coach at Wayne, W.Va.

During his four years as an assistant, the Pioneers won two state titles, were state runners-up and reached the semifinals.

Ferguson then began work on his masters’ degree before taking a job as an assistant coach at South Point last season.

Bow that he is the Hornets’ head coach, he just wants to continue the school’s long tradition.

“I want it to grow and grow,” said Ferguson. “It has a great tradition and I want to honor that.”

Ferguson doesn’t plan to change a lot from the current system and style of play, but he does plan to stamp his own mark.

“Offensively we’re going to run a lot of Coal Grove football, but there’s a little flair I’ll mix in with it. Defensively we run a lot of the 4-4 look but we’ll be flexible,” said Ferguson.

“We won’t have steadfast rules. We’ll keep things consistent with the rules so the players don’t have to be thinking all the time. They can just play and do well.”