Neshoba Central promotes defensive coordinator Shannon Ruffin to head football coach
The Neshoba County School District announced Friday in a news release that Neshoba Central has promoted longtime defensive coordinator Shannon Ruffin to head coach of the football team.
Ruffin takes over for Patrick Schoolar, who resigned at the end of the 2023 season to accept a coaching job at Pearl. Schoolar was 65-35 in eight seasons at Neshoba Central and reached the state playoffs each season.
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In 2021, Ruffin won the Magnolia All-Star Defensive Coordinator award after Neshoba Central allowed only 198 points in 13 games, an average of 15.2 per game.
Ruffin has been the Rockets' defensive coordinator since 2014 and was a key asset in their three MHSAA Class 5A Region 2 titles (2019-2021). Neshoba Central finished 6-6 in 2023 and lost in the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs to South Panola, 33-13.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion-Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Neshoba Central football: Shannon Ruffin promoted to head coach
