Panthers coach Rushing retiring on sad note Pinckneyville is fielding only a JV team this spring

After 20 years coaching football and looking toward his retirement, Pinckneyville's Tod Rushing expresses mixed emotions about his last year as the Panthers head coach.

"In some ways, it's sad to end this way," he said, alluding to the Panthers canceling their varsity football season and fielding only a JV team this spring, due to not enough players coming out.

Still, Rushing said, he is very much enjoying working with the 25 kids he's got - "many with very little football experience, yet making the effort to do their best.

"I'm probably doing more teaching of fundamentals than I have for many years," he said.

Rushing credits his coaching staff with making the necessary adjustments - Coaches Jeff Miller, Garret Huggins, C.J. Opp, Michael Porter and Logan Spain.

Like many coaches who watched the year passing under COVID-19 restrictions, Rushing is determined to make the most of the 40 days left to play in the shortened football season.

"The kids we have are excited to get to play now," Rushing said. He enjoys seeing that excitement in players, knowing that they will get so much more out of the experience than personal stats.

"Being involved in sports, being a part of a team is where you learn about and prepare for life - working together, getting along with others, dealing with highs and lows, success and disappointment," the coach said.

Rushing said the pandemic has affected students' involvement in sports and other activities. Students, he said, have so many more choices today than when he started coaching.

"With clubs, activities and part-time jobs, so many teams and activities like band have struggled with numbers in recent years," Rushing said. "We had many more multisport athletes. Now they have travel and club teams so kids tend to focus on a single sport and can miss out on playing with different groups of kids also."

Rushing expressed hope that the decision to move the 2020 football season to spring - and not cancel it outright - will help save the program for the future. He has talked to current players and some not playing this spring, who have said they plan to come back in the fall.

"That would definitely help," Rushing said. "Football involves many different skills so there's plenty of room for all."

Rushing said he wants to leave coaching on a good note.

"Pinckneyville is my hometown, my alma mater and where I've spent most of my coaching career," he said. "I've had great coaches and players to work with, and I always want Pinckneyville football to do well."

The Panther JV team plays at Du Quoin at 6 p.m. on March 22. Their schedule also includes AJ, Nashville, Carterville, West Frankfort and Benton.