PINCKNEYVILLE — Pinckneyville has its third different head football coach in as many seasons, as the Panthers are trying to turn the fortunes of the program around.

Ryan Lott returns to the River to River to take over the Panthers’ program. Lott was the head coach at Massac County in 2014 and 15, before heading back to his alma mater at Jerseyville as an assistant the past few seasons. Lott says his formula is simple–he wants to make sure football is a great experience for the kids, focusing of effort, attitude, and toughness.

For the players, it’s still a significant transition. It will be the third different system for the juniors and seniors–that’s three different philosophies and three different sets of plays and terminology.

The Panthers have not made the playoffs in more than a decade. It’s been particularly tough in recent years. Pinckneyville has only six wins over the last six seasons. That includes the Covid spring season in 2021 when the Panthers were unable to play a varsity schedule due to low numbers.

Last year, the numbers roughly doubled, but the Panthers were grounded the first two weeks due to Covid, then had to come back and face a loaded Benton squad week 3.

Things went downhill from there on the way to an 0-9 season.

The players say getting off to a good start this year would do wonders for the team. The Panthers open on the road at Red Bud Friday night. Their home opener will be next Friday against West Frankfort.