Kennett tabs Texas native as new football coach

The Kennett Indians went to the heart of high school football country to find their new football coach.

The Kennett Board of Education hired Texas native Kenneth Riedinger to be the program's new head coach following a months-long search at its meeting on Tuesday.

Riedinger (pronounced RED-in-jer) served as the assistant offensive coordinator at Elysian Field High School in northeast Texas this past season, helping coach the Yellow Jackets to a 6-3 record. Before that he coached at Buna, Tex. from 2004 to 2007 and was at Burlington Junction from 2000 to 2003.

Riedinger has high hopes for the Tribe

"Success hopefully," Riedinger said. "I think any goal has to be a state championship -- that's the ultimate goal -- but first and foremost, get them in the playoffs and build a program top to bottom."

Riedinger plans to bring "a little bit of Texas-style football" to Kennett, starting with a Texas offense -- the Slot T.

"It's similar to a Wing-T and Power I combination," said Riedinger. "It's not a real fun offense to defend. It's a double-tight (end) offense with a nasty slot."

Riedinger also added that the Slot T -- the same offense that has won at least one state title in Texas -- is "really conducive to athletes"

Riedinger, a native of Silsbee, Tex. -- located near Beaumont -- played two years of football at Kilgore Junior College in 1996 and 1997, signing as a defensive end before switching to tight end.

He then transferred to Northwest Missouri State and played on the Bearcats' 1998 undefeated Division II national championship team before an injury brought an end to his playing career.

Riedinger is looking forward to the challenge of being the Tribe's new head coach.

"We're planning to come in and get things rolling," he said.

Notes: Riedinger stands 6-foot-5 1/2 and also helped coach basketball at Elysian Fields. ... While at Northwest, Riedinger met his wife -- a native of Palmyra, Mo. -- and they have a 10-month-old son.