Both the Russellville School District and Coach Mikie Benton announced Tuesday morning that Benton is no longer head football coach of Panther football. The search begins Thursday for his successor.
Mikie Benton is a graduate of Russellville High School where he was an outstanding multi-sport athlete. He not only played football for the University of Kentucky but became a starter in the defensive backfield. He returned home to teach and serve as an assistant to his coach, John Myers, for five seasons before succeeding Myers, who has spent the past eight years in the Glasgow and Barren County school systems.
In January of 2018, Benton became both the first RHS alumnus and the first African American to serve as head coach of the Panthers.
His eight teams had a composite record of 40-52. Their record against Class 1A teams was 24-15. Three of them won district championships, including the last two. His 2021 senior-dominated team returned a taste of the Panthers’ Glory Years by going 12-2 with the second loss coming in the state championship game. They won a regional championship along the way. In the four years since then, the Panthers have won 15 games and lost 30.
His eight seasons as head coach are the fourth most in the 91 years of Russellville football, trailing only the late Ken Barrett, John Myers, and the late Harold Hunter, who was the coach twice for a total of nine years.
Mikie Benton is also the RHS Dean of Students and the head track coach.
The following is the announcement from Superintendent Kyle Yates:
“The Russellville Independent School District (RISD) has begun the process to seek new leadership for the Russellville High School football program, effective January 5, 2026.
RISD extends its sincere gratitude to Coach Mikie Benton for his eight years of dedicated service and leadership as head coach of the Panthers. Under his guidance, the program achieved notable successes, including a state runner-up finish.
“The RHS Head Football Coach position will be officially posted for applicants through the RISD Board of Education beginning Thursday, January 8, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the district's website for application details.
“The district looks forward to building on the strong foundation established and continuing the tradition of excellence in Panther athletics.”
This is the post Coach Benton wrote on his Facebook page.
“Yesterday I was notified that I have been relieved of my duties as Head Football Coach here at Russellville. Came as a surprise, but the decision came from Central Office. I hate having to move on from a school that I graduated from and gave everything I had to, but I assure you that I have no regrets of my time as Head Coach. There have been plenty of ups and downs in my 8 years as head coach! Proud to say I was able to get us back to a State Championship game for the first time in 31 years. Things change and sometimes they are out of our control!
“I will finish out teaching the remaining of the year, of course, but this will be my last year at Russellville.
“To all of the players I’ve coached, love and appreciate you all. To those I’ve sit with on signing days, still proud of you all! To the past players who still reach out, don’t ever let that stop! Fans, Parents, Assistant Coaches, Those responsible who hired me… just want to say thank you!!”