Marshall County names Steven Etheridge new head football coach

Steven Etheridge addresses those gathered at Thursday’s press conference, announcing him as the new head football coach at Marshall County High School.

Marshall County High School announced Thursday the hiring of Steven Etheridge as head coach of the football program. Etheridge comes to Marshall County after spending the last fives seasons at McCracken County High School as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator.

Etheridge helped lead the Mustangs to five consecutive district championships and two regional championship game appearances. As offensive coordinator, his offense has been ranked in the top 10 each season in Class 6A and this past season ranked number two behind Louisville Trinity.

“I’m excited to begin a journey here at Marshall County High School”, Etheridge said. “This is a special place and I first realized that when I first moved into this area about five years ago. I realized that regardless of the score…regardless of the success they were having…regardless of the season, the community shows up and supports the kids.”

He is a 2006 graduate of Sweetwater High School in Sweetwater, Ala. He went on to play in college at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill. where he was a 2008 All-Conference player, two-year Academic All-Conference and team captain in 2010. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education.

Etheridge began his coaching career at MacMurray College after graduation where he served as the offensive line coach from 2011-2014. While at MacMurray College, he was video coordinator for two years, special teams coach for three years and three years as director of football operations. MacMurray College under Etheridge saw rushing yards increase by 2.5 yards per carry, pass protection improved by nearly 80 percent over four years and in 2014, his offensive line allowed only nine sacks which ranked 18th out of 242 NCAA DIII teams.

“I understand the responsibilities of being a head football coach here. Football is important and the lessons that can be learned through this game are endless”, Etheridge said. “Patience, teamwork, responsibility to others, accountability to yourself and others, discipline…there’s so many things that we can get out of this sport if we allow it to.”

Etheridge said the students and student-athletes at Marshall County are in a great place, a place that truly cares about their success. Going on to say at the end of the day, the product on the field is very important but to develop the kids into great community members, great husbands and great fathers down the road is what’s it’s all about.

“Everything we do is going to be process oriented”, Etheridge said. “We’re not concerned with results, the results will take care of themselves. We’re worried about the process here. The processes that we have are going to yield the quality results over time. There’s three standards that we uphold in everything we do here and this is on the field, in the classroom and in the weight room.”

Etheridge said the three standards are prepare, compete and to finish.

Etheridge is married to Kayla and they have one son, Benson.

“We’re excited to be here and are ready to get to work”, Etheridge said.