Letcher County Central High School has named Brandon Haynes as its new football head coach, stepping in after the retirement of Junior Matthews, who led the Cougars for ten seasons.
Haynes brings fifteen years of coaching experience to the role, most recently serving as running backs coach at the University of Pikeville, where he contributed to a revamped offensive scheme.
Matthews' departure ends a decade marked by consistent playoff appearances and a culture of discipline that shaped many of today’s players.
2026 Season Schedule Unveiled
The schedule opens with a road contest at Shelby Valley against Johnson Central on August 22, followed by a test at Leslie County on August 28.
September will feature three consecutive home games against Shelby Valley, Perry County Central and Breathitt County, giving the team early momentum on familiar turf.
The Cougars will then travel to Lawrence County on September 25 before hosting back‑to‑back matchups against Estill County and Magoffin County in October.
The season wraps up with road games against Powell County and Belfry, promising a challenging but exciting finish.