Jon Hedges, Ballard assistant coach and former assistant and head coach as several regional schools, has been named the new varsity football coach at Ballard Memorial High School. He currently serves as Ballard’s alternative school director, and will continue in that position.

Over 60 current and prospective players met with the new head coach at school on Thursday.

“When I started here in 2022, one of my goals was pumping up a football program, from top to bottom,” Hedges said. “I’m excited to get that chance, and looking forward to bringing people together and building that team to win!”

Hedges was head football coach at Reidland High School prior to the McCracken consolidation and an assistant coach at McCracken, head coach at Paducah Middle School for two undefeated regular seasons, as well as an assistant coach at Paducah Tilghman High School. He has been an assistant coach at Ballard since coming here in 2022.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Western Kentucky University, where he also played inside linebacker and special teams on the football team. Hedges was senior team captain, and selected as an All American. He also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in secondary education from Murray State, and is a professional trainer specializing in athletes at a gym in Paducah.

Hedges said his first order of business is to focus on weightlifting and fundamentals, and increasing the number of players – from little league through high school. He’s adopting the use of two hashtags to sum up his start: #AllIn and #WhyNotUs. “I want to bring back the excitement on Friday nights,” he said. “Some challenges take time, but I’m here for as long as it takes.

Ballard Athletic Director Dr. R.B. Mays said, “We are in rebuild mode for our football program, and are fortunate to have secured a coach who has been successful in that role previously in his career. With Jon already  as part of our program for two years, we know that he knows football. However, he also knows individual player development - and the importance of coach development. He knows how to build strength in the weightroom, relates well with students, and knows how to build participation in a program. Jon understands the importance and structure necessary for a total program - from little league through high school - and the crucial role communication plays in that reality. He and his family are committed to becoming a part of the Ballard County community, and he presents a compelling vision and blueprint for making Bomber football successful again."

Hedges and his wife, Sara Jane, currently live in Paducah. She serves as the food service director for Ballard County Schools, and both of their children attend Ballard County Elementary School. They attend Lone Oak First Baptist Church, where Jon is an active coach in the Upward program.