Photo credit: KEVIN GOLDY
Jesse Peck’s heart and soul has always lived within the Johnson Central football program.
Peck, who served as defensive coordinator under the late coach Jim Matney, has been named new head coach of the Golden Eagles.
“This is an opportunity I never envisioned for myself,” Peck said during a press conference on Monday. “My wish would be that coach Matney was still here and I could continue to grow under him.”
Peck is a 2000 graduate of Johnson Central and played offensive line, earning him the opportunity to play on the collegiate level at Marshall University, and later at the University of Pikeville.
While at Pikeville, he was honored as a Mid-South Conference team selection three times and in 2005 was named an NAIA All-American.
Peck served as an assistant coach for two seasons with the Bears before being named the head coach at Phelps, leading the Hornets from 2008-12. He returned home the following year to JC.
“Johnson Central is a special place to me,” he added. “We need this community now more than ever.
The Golden Eagles pressed on following Matney’s untimely death to reach the Class 4A championship game.