Justin Groves named new Benton football coach

A former player and assistant coach for Benton Rangers' football has been hired as the school's head coach.
Taking action in less than 45 days following the resignation of Bob Pankey, the Benton High School Board of Education offered the position to Justin Groves.
"I love working with kids and being around Benton High School. I'm really excited about getting back in there and continue what Bob started with a good culture. I've got a lot of work to do to get coaches together and thinking about the philosophies we want to implement. I'm excited about getting started," Groves said in a telephone interview.
Groves will be teaching technology classes at the high school.
Groves is a graduate of Benton Consolidated High School, where he played for and later coached with Jeff Roper. Groves played on the first playoff team in BCHS history in 1995.
He attended Millikin University, playing football until a knee injury sidelined him. He eventually graduated from the university and started coaching in Benton. He served as an assistant coach from 1998 through 2007. In addition to coaching football, he was a track and field coach under Andy Sloan with teams that won state titles in 2006 and 2008. Groves also coached wrestling with Neal Wilson, who had an Elite Eight team in 2009 and a state champion in Zach Wilson in 2008.
In 2009, Groves joined Kerry Martin at Marion as an assistant coach. Shortly after that, he stepped out of coaching to start a computer consulting business, which led to full time work with White Oak Mines near McLeansboro. He recently resigned a position as I.T. coordinator.
He and his wife Laurie, a nurse at The Orthopaedic Institute in Herrin, have two children: Ava, 11, and Ella, 9. Ava is in the sixth grade and plays volleyball; Ella is a "basketball junkie," according to her father; and they both love playing golf.
"It's very humbling to follow a man like Bob Pankey. He cares about the kids at Benton High School more than anyone else I know. His new role with FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will give him an opportunity to reach thousands of kids across Southern Illinois and I wholeheartedly support that effort, both emotionally and financially," Groves said.
"We are extremely excited to bring Coach Groves on board at Benton High School.  I believe his previous coaching and teaching experience at both Benton and Marion High schools have given him the experience to be a successful head coach.  I believe he will be an excellent role model for our student athletes and continue to build the Benton Ranger football program," said Superintendent Aaron Mattox.
Groves said within the next few weeks he will have his coaching staff in place that includes faculty members at high school.
"It will be a mix of old and new. I've figured with those in place we will 175 years of playing and coaching experience," Groves said.
Groves, who will turn 40 on Monday, has a request from fans, friends and supporters.
"In lieu of birthday presents, I want Ranger Nation to buy cow bells and bring them to the football games next fall," he said with a chuckle.