HERRIN — The Herrin Tigers have a new head football coach this season, but he’s certainly not new to the program. Rod Sherrill returns to the top spot, 20 years after he led the team the first time.
Sherrill, who went 8-11 in two seasons with a playoff appearance in 2001, replaces Jason Karnes who resigned after 14 seasons. Karnes’ teams won 104 games and making 12 playoff appearances.
Sherrill had been on Karnes’ staff the past few seasons. He’s also a teacher at junior high, so the players are very familiar with him. That familiarity has helped with the transition.
Several players also compete for spring sports teams. They remember all too well the feeling of having their seasons canceled just a few months. While the pandemic has created restrictions for summer workouts, the players are continuing to put in the work they can in hopes they will get to play at some point.