CLARKSVILLE (KFSM) – As the month of June is winding down, it’s not a great time to be looking for a new football coach but Clarksville hired one of their own Monday night.
Khris Buckner, a 1996 graduate of Clarksville, was hired as the Panthers new coach at a school board meeting. Buckner spent the 2015 season as the head coach at Wilburton, Okla. as he led the Diggers to a 5-5 record in his only season with the school. Wilburton went 1-9 in the previous season.
Buckner’s path back to Clarksville was an interesting one as he gained recognition in Kansas and was named the head coach at Nickerson, Kan. last winter but budget cuts saw the deal fall through. Buckner was then hired at Wilburton last May.
Clarksville has struggled since moving to 5A four seasons ago, going 5-35. Buckner replaces Eli Cranor who resigned last week to take an assistant coaching job at Morrilton.
The Panthers open the 2016 season on Sept. 3 against rival Lamar.