FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bald Knob School District Announces Hiring of Jerrod Barnhill as Head Football Coach and Athletic Director
Bald Knob, AR — December 17, 2025 — The Bald Knob School District is proud to announce the hiring of Jerrod Barnhill as its new Head Football Coach and Athletic Director. Barnhill brings more than 17 years of coaching and leadership experience, including being part of two Arkansas high school state championship teams at Pulaski Academy, where he helped lead one of the state’s premier football programs.
Most recently, Coach Barnhill served at Pulaski Academy as the Assistant Athletic Director and a varsity assistant football coach, where he coached the offensive line and served as head junior high football coach. During his time at the high school level, his teams also made two semifinal appearances, and he coached and developed offensive linemen who went on to play at Stanford University, SMU, and Rhodes College.
In his administrative role, Coach Barnhill supported all athletic programs through communication, scheduling, digital media, video operations, video analysis, and recruiting support. As head coach of the junior high football programs, he led all football operations and guided his teams to a combined 17–2 record over the past two seasons.
Coach Barnhill previously served as offensive coordinator at Maumelle High School, where he helped transform a 1–9 team into a playoff contender, significantly increasing offensive production and setting multiple school records. Earlier in his career at Marion High School, he played a key role in revitalizing the program by increasing roster numbers, improving win totals, and earning a playoff victory.
Barnhill holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Arkansas State University, a Master of Science in Physical Education from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas.
His coaching philosophy centers on developing the whole student-athlete, using athletics as a vehicle to teach discipline, accountability, teamwork, and leadership. He plans to bring an exciting style of play built on precise execution while elevating all athletic programs toward championship-level standards.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Barnhill to Bald Knob,” said Dr. Jed Davis, Superintendent. “I look forward to seeing his leadership have a positive impact on our athletes and our entire athletic program. His commitment to relationships and results is something I know the school and community will greatly appreciate.”
Coach Barnhill expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “I am fired up to get started at Bald Knob and ready to lead our football and athletic programs to places I know we are capable of going. Bald Knob is a tough, resilient, blue-collar community, and I plan to instill those same characteristics into our athletic programs while giving this community something it can be proud of.”