Coach Preston

? Coach Kevin Hixenbaugh returns for his third season with the John Hardin Football Family! ?? We’re excited to officially introduce Coach Kevin Hixenbaugh — better known as Coach Hix — as an Assistant Coach here at John Hardin High School! Coach Hix brings a lifetime of experience, leadership, and passion for the game to our football program. Coach Hix grew up in Lakeland, Florida, where he was a two-sport athlete in football and baseball. After his college playing days, he made the move to Kentucky in 1995 and began coaching youth football in 1996 — a journey that would grow into a decades-long career shaping young athletes on and off the field. In 2009, Coach Hix accepted a coaching opportunity in Louisville, where he spent the next 13 years making a lasting impact at several Jefferson County schools, including PRP, Valley High School, and Western High School. His roles have ranged from position coach to coordinator, and he served two seasons as head coach at Stuart Middle School, where he also teaches Health and PE. Now entering Year 3 at John Hardin, Coach Hix serves as the Junior Varsity Defensive Coordinator, and coaches both wide receivers and the defensive backfield at the varsity level. His knowledge, energy, and commitment to excellence are a huge asset to our program. Personally, I have been impressed with Coach Hix’s levelheaded approach in working with the kids and his willingness to do whatever helps our program improve. From working in the off season to developing fundamental skills he is a tremendous coach bringing experience that really helps with planning and getting the players to understand the strategy involved in our plan each week. Beyond the field, Coach Hix is a proud husband to his best friend and biggest supporter — he credits her unwavering love and encouragement as the foundation of all he does. He’s also a proud father of five children and three grandbabies, and family remains at the heart of everything he values. We are thrilled to have Coach Hix as part of the Bulldog family, and we can’t wait to see the continued impact he’ll have on our program and our young men. Let’s give him a big John Hardin and Kentucky welcome in the comments below! ? #BulldogPride #JohnHardinFootball #WelcomeCoachHix #OneTeamOneGoal

We are super Excited for Chris Evans 3rd Season with John Hardin Football! ?? As many of you know, John Hardin holds a special place in my heart. I’m excited to officially kick off my third season as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs! I’m a proud 2017 graduate of JHHS, where I played football and baseball for all four years. During my time on the football field, I had the honor of playing offensive guard and long snapper, contributing to three Regional Championship teams. Those moments shaped me and fueled my passion for the game. After high school, I earned my B.S. in Sport Management from Western Kentucky University in 2022, where I gained valuable experience as an intern with the WKU football team and in the marketing department. Now, I’m fortunate to give back to the community I love—not only as a coach, but also as a Special Education teacher at John Hardin High School. I’m also proud to coach various Special Olympics sports in Hardin County, including softball and basketball. I’m grateful to be working alongside the amazing coaching staff here at JHHS. Together, we’re dedicated to helping our players grow both on and off the field. When I was able to hire Chris as an assistant football coach, I was excited to hire a former John Hardin football player and student athlete. I had no idea how impressed I would be with this young teacher and coach. He picks up details quickly and makes his number one role very clear. That is, he serves the kids first. It is difficult to find young coaches these days. It is even more difficult to find humble and hard working within the same person in my opinion. Chris Evans is a home run. This third year he will make us even better with his presence. Chris is a player’s coach in many ways. He offers advice and guidance in a way that is far ahead of his years in education. I believe he is destined for a great career as a coach and teacher. To observe his interactions in our building with all students and his work with the football players has been an honor and a privilege. He is “Above the Line” as our Principal Mark Wells would say. Chris is the son of current John Hardin assistant coach Aaron Evans. Looking forward to a great season with the Bulldogs! Let’s make it another year to remember. #GoBulldogs ??

? Meet Coach Aaron "Wolverine" Evans — A Decade of Dedication at John Hardin! As we gear up for another exciting season, we’re proud to spotlight Coach Aaron Evans, who is entering his 10th year coaching football at John Hardin High School! Coach Evans serves as our Varsity Special Teams Coordinator, works with the defensive line and running backs, and brings an incredible wealth of experience and leadership to the field. Over the years, he’s also led as JV Head Coach and coached multiple position groups including tight ends and the offensive line. "Wolverine" is the father of JHHS assistant football coach Chris Evans (which will be our next staff member to introduce. One of the most impressive things to me when I was introduced as the new JHHS football coach was finding out that Aaron had been volunteering to keep the weight room open as the transition took place to find the next coach. He did this not knowing if he would even have a position with the next coach. Loyalty to John Hardin football as well as his love for football along with a selfless attitude are key in Aaron's work with the kids and staff. His football journey began as a player at North Hardin (1988–1991), where he helped lead the team to the state semifinals. He launched his coaching career at Bluegrass Middle School in 2011, quickly becoming head coach and reaching the region finals every year. In 2016, he officially joined the John Hardin staff and has since been part of multiple district and region championships, while mentoring numerous players who advanced to the college level. Off the field, Coach Evans and his wife Kacie Evans are proud parents to seven amazing children — Martina, Ashley, Brooklyn, Christopher, Aubrey, Raegen, and Treven — and grandparents to nine grandchildren. We’re lucky to have Coach Evans' leadership, experience, and passion continuing to shape our program. Here's to another great year! ?? #BulldogPride #CoachEvans #JohnHardinFootball #10YearsStrong #HighSchoolFootball

? Welcome Coach Milton D. Woody to the Team! ? We’re proud to introduce Coach Milton D. Woody as our new Assistant Football Coach, bringing a wealth of experience, leadership, and passion for the game to our program! Coach Woody will work with the defensive line and running backs while directing the JV backfield and JV special teams. Coach Woody is a Jacksonville, Florida native, raised in Monticello, FL, and a proud graduate of Jefferson County High School, where he was the starting varsity quarterback from the end of his freshman year through his senior season. A multi-sport athlete, he also played baseball all four years earning the starting catcher spot on the varsity team as a sophomore. His athletic career continued after high school at Madison County Community College, followed by time at Texas A&M by way of Germany. He went on to play semi-pro baseball with the Jefferson A’s and semi-pro football in Fort Benning, Georgia. A U.S. Army Veteran, Coach Woody brings discipline and heart to everything he does. He began coaching youth and flag football in 2004 and entered high school coaching in 2016 at Oakleaf High School. He later joined Cane Bay High School, where he coached the offensive and defensive line from 2018 to 2023. Over the years, Coach Woody has helped shape some incredible talent, including: • ? Ulysses Bryant – One of the top running backs to come out of Jacksonville, FL - played for Jacksonville U. • ?️ Kameron Durant – Top-ranked offensive lineman in the state of South Carolina - played at East Carolina. He also the Co-Founded and was Head Coach of the Cane Bay Youth Football League, where he dedicated his efforts to developing young athletes and future leaders. Please join us in welcoming Coach Woody to the John Hardin High School Football Coaching Staff as well as the JHHS school community! His experience, integrity, and love for the game will be a huge asset to our players, staff, and families. Let’s make this season one to remember! ?? #WelcomeCoachWoody #FridayNightLights #BuildingChampions #CommunityStrong #CoachLife

I played against that '86 Anderson team. Bourbon County was my team. If memory serves me correct Anderson went 10-0 in the regular season. I think we played them the last regular season game. We gave them a tough battle. Can't remember the score but I recall it being very very close.

Please let me introduce the 2025 John Hardin Football Staff. I will add a coach or two per week moving forward. I am extremely honored to work with these men. Our program is blessed to have them working with the kids of John Hardin. These are very hard-working loyal men of honor that bring it every day!! Starting with our most experienced coach. One of the best to ever put on a whistle!! One of a hand full of coaches I have looked to regularly over the years for advice and help. Most importantly, he is a close friend for over 30 years. – Jerry Perry – Defensive Coordinator. From Jerry: This season will be my 41st season as a high school FB coach. I started coaching in 1985 at Anderson County High School. My wife, Laura, and I got married in 1988. We have 2 children, Jordyn and Jerred. Thankfully, Laura loves High School sports, and both of our children played throughout HS. I have coached at 6 different HS including: Anderson County '85-'87, Danville '88-'89 and '97-2012, Garrard County '90-'96 and 2013-2021, Boyle County 2013, Harlan Independent 2022, 2023 and John Hardin in 2024. I have been blessed to work with a lot of tremendous athletes. Overall, the teams I have been a part of have a record of 348-143 with 4 state titles, 3 state runners-up, 10 regional championships and numerous regional runner ups...As a HS player I was HM all state OG/DT in '78 and '79 at Franklin County HS. In 1980 I was named 1st team all-state 4A and 3rd team overall all state DL and HM OG. at Western Hills HS. That same year I received my appointment to West Point. I played MLB at Army in '81 before transferring to UK. I am a retired Math teacher of 30 years. GO DAWGS!!!

This is what we did well at FS. It is very simple. After some time the OC and head coach have a feel for those things as well.

I did Bull in the ring one time. First kid up got knocked out cold. I never did it again.

I didn't call any plays at Franklin-Simpson after year 1. I asked Max Chaney (Current FS Head Coach) to take over the offense. He did a great job. Called all plays including all the state championship games. He had great input from Matt Marsh and Rob McDougal. I ran the D. At Bullitt East I called the plays. Here at John Hardin I ran the defense and had an OC until this past (2024) season. I was lucky enough to get Jerry Perry to come on board and he runs the defense. I do not interfere. I called the offense in 2024 while JP ran the defense. I think it is whatever works for the staff and head coach.

I am old and still live under center about 98% of the time.

Coach from a distance and dad if he was in close proximity.

I was fortunate enough to coach my son in high school. I would not trade that time and experience for anything. I did not coach his position. I never tried to mold him into a position that he was not suited for. I was hands off when he played youth and middle school. We did not talk (intentionally) about football a lot at home. He played Defensive End - rarely ever played offense. I asked my assistant coaches to coach him like any other kid and I would stay out of the way. Each parent's child is different. Collin is a quiet not to emotional young man. He put way more pressure on himself than needed. He did not show it or say it but I knew this about him. I felt my son would not thrive by me pressuring him so I allowed the assistants to do that. Matt Marsh, Josh Satterly and Chris Pyles did a fantastic job at Franklin-Simpson coaching him. We played in 3 state championships. He started in both championship wins and played great. He was never a star player. He was an excellent player but was a glue guy. I love players like that. They are the key to the program imo. We had a great experience. He was a leader on those teams. He did it through work and action. I felt like I handled coaching him well. I was fortunate to work with Sam Harp at Danville when he was coaching Chase at QB. Sam did a fantastic job in that situation and I learned from that experience. I have had an assistant or two coach their sons. They did well.

In 2022 we had 51 players finish the season. 36 of those had never played a complete high school season before that. We have come a long way from there. If we can replace some solid lineman on offense it could be a strong season. We could be better in the backfield with Cavalli Pittman (over 3,000 yards rushing and 40 TD's) returning as well as some very good sophomore to be backs. Senior to be QB Austin Richardson is returning for year 3 as a full time starter. Junior to be Adrian Lunsford will push for the QB spot as well. Line could be very big depending on how the big kids develop. 6'3 314, 6'2 315, 6' 270 (without naming names) kids that have been back up or part time starters over the last season or two. Kaysin Cato is a sophomore to be center that started every game as a freshman at center last season 6'1 260. News Enterprise Sophomore of the year defensive lineman Elijah Luna 6'2 270 could play TE and might even be in the backfield some (he has done well in his first year wrestling this season). Like Luna Junior to be DJ Hightower 6'2 216 at linebacker and TE is a force and has been a starter both years of high school. He also could/will be in the backfield some. Senior to be BJ Stewart as a safety is pretty special. Junior to be Sebastian Maurer also started at safety last season. At linebacker we have 5 that will or have already proven to be pretty solid. Sophomore to be Marqo Hayes 6' 215 could play in the backfield and will either be an end or inside linebacker. He started every game as a freshman last season on defense and was special as a freshman. He made plays and held his own against top level competition (I.e. Paducah Tilghman and others). X'Zayvion Farrar will have a break out sophomore season imo either on the D line or O line. He started half the season on the O line in 2024 while an injured senior recovered. He was solid in that role. Our JV team has been really strong over the last 3 years and we are finally seeing that success spill over into Friday night games. Kids are working extremely hard in the weight room. I feel like last season was the first year since I arrived at JH that the team played with the physicality on offense that is needed to win against top level competition. Maybe we have turned the corner in that area? But I say this knowing everyone is very optimistic this time of year.

Guys I know someone that was recently approached and offered a job that needs turning around. He asked for $25,000. The immediate response was no problem we can do that. I am not saying that is common but I know this is true for a fact. That school wants to get it to where it should be and were willing to do whatever this person asked for. So $7500 is really bad imo.

JOHN HARDIN

Congratulations Coach!! Super hire.

I think the new district they will be in is much improved for them.

That will be fun. I always enjoyed that. We would bring all the kids, including elementary, to the high school. I would present the medal to the kids in a quick little ceremony. Special times and memories for a lifetime.

Bingo!!

Probably retiring and they have to go through the formality of opening the job in order to rehire.

Before playing PT I went into the game thinking we needed 35 points to be able to win the game. I finished the game believing the same thing. I don't think anyone will hold them under 28 to 35 points. Just my opinion. They score in bunches and can do it in all phases. If any defense can hold them under 28 it will be Franklin county. They look very good. It is also good to see the wishbone being utilized by them. I think running the bone is a big reason they beat Cov. Cath. 3

Not me. Good luck to the Admirals and whoever takes over. A ton of potential and great administration to work with.

In my 4 state championship games as a head coach we threw the ball probably 10-12 times combined. Only in one of those games did we not either win the title or have a shot right at the end to win it. Sometimes it does not matter what you do you are not going to beat certain teams due to match problems and things like that. On the other hand you can shorten the game and stall out great athletes if you can run the ball. It is all in the eye of the beholder I guess. Do what works best for your situation.

Having run the wing t for years to a pretty high level of success one thing I can attest to is that it is much more complex in the offensive line play than people might realize. If you are in a transient school or a school that doesn't have a solid feeder program it becomes much more difficult to execute. It can be done but it would need to be much more limited in the plays (series) that you run imo.