DJ Pigg of Benton has been hired as the Rockets’ 19th head coach since Marion and Crittenden County consolidated in 1957.
Pigg, 24, played at Marshall County, setting some three-point shooting records. He graduated from there in 2016 after a basketball career that netted almost 1,200 points. At John A. Logan College in Illinois, Pigg played collegiate golf for a time, then transferred to Murray State where he completed his degree. For the past four years, he’s been coaching in the Graves County School District. He is currently employed by Graves County Middle School as a language arts teacher. He has been the head freshman coach and a varsity assistant for the Eagles.
Although his contract doesn’t end until June 30 at Graves County, Pigg will begin in earnest laying the groundwork for his basketball program here. He’s already developing a conditioning plan for spring and a schedule for summer league play.
Pigg said he was attracted to Crittenden County because of what he was able to see from the outside looking in, as a player who competed against the Rockets and a sports fan who’s followed high school athletics in western Kentucky for years.
“The most attractive part of it is the idea of being part of a school with lot of pride in its student body and in its athletics programs,” he said. “It’s exciting to me. Although Crittenden County is a small school, when you walk into Rocket Arena you can see evidence of decorated programs and a successful culture.”
From the trophy cases in the gymnasium that testify to Rocket successes and CCHS teams that have made regional headlines, Pigg says he’s excited about being part of the program.
“The pride people have in the school district is exciting,” he added.
Pigg is single and currently resides in southern Marshall County. He plans to move closer to Marion.
As for coaching style, he likes strong man-to-man defense and being flexible.
“We will do whatever is best for us and whatever it takes to win,” he said.
He will replace Denis Hodge, who had been the CCHS skipper for the past 11 seasons. Hodge retired from the position after his team finished 14-17 this season. Hodge's basketball team won the Fifth District championship in 2018, only the second league title since Crittenden and Marion consolidated high schools in 1957. Hodge was 124-200 as head coach and he spent several more years as an assistant at CCHS.
Pigg will be a language arts teacher in the Crittenden County School District.
Superintendent Vince Clark said he likes the energy Pigg will bring to Crittenden County.
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