MT. VERNON — Mt. Vernon’s new head football coach certainly is not new to the program. Dan Mings is back for a second tenure as the lead Ram.

Mings led the Rams to six playoff appearances between 2001 and 2010, including the 2005 team that made it all the way to the 6A quarterfinals, finishing 11-1–the best mark in school history.

But it has been a struggle for the Rams the last decade and change. Mt. Vernon last made the playoffs in 2013 and only has nine wins in the eight seasons since, including a 1-23 mark the last three seasons.

Mings said one of the first hurdles was numbers in the program. That has not been a problem so far, as more than 90 kids have been coming to summer workouts.

Mings says the summer contact days are huge as he and his staff teach their system and terminology. Each practice starts with about an hour of team meetings before the players even step on the field.

The Rams will open their season August 26th at home against Taylorville.