Centerville Football Welcomes New Head Coach John Puckett

Centerville has officially announced the hiring of John Puckett as the new head football coach for the Elks. The announcement was made on Saturday after former coach Brent Ullery stepped down in December. During his time at Centerville, Ullery guided the team to impressive success, including a trip to the state semifinals.

In a news release, Puckett shared his enthusiasm for the position, stating, “Since I joined Centerville in 2010, becoming the head football coach has been my dream.” He expressed confidence in the program’s potential, saying, “We have an ideal combination of outstanding administration, strong community and parental support and amazing kids.”

Puckett brings 25 years of coaching experience to the role, including 11 years as an assistant at Centerville. He also served as head coach at Butler for three seasons from 2018 to 2020. In addition to his coaching duties, Puckett works as an intervention specialist at Centerville High School, supporting students with special needs.

The new athletic director, Brandon Hon, who recently took over for Rob Dement, played a key role in Puckett’s hiring. Hon emphasized Puckett’s longstanding commitment, saying, “John has been a cornerstone of our program for years… His commitment to excellence and passion for our students both on the field and in the classroom has established him as a well-respected leader within our community.”

Under Ullery’s leadership, the Elks posted a record of 58-34 and secured three conference championships over eight seasons. Puckett becomes just the fifth full-time head coach in the history of Centerville football, following Bob Gregg, Ron Ullery, Rodney Roberts, and Brent Ullery.

Looking ahead, Puckett expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to uphold the Elks’ tradition of toughness.” As the community prepares for the upcoming season, there is excitement about what Puckett will bring to the program.