Hall of Fame
Don Pennington, who also ran track for the Bobcats, helped coach Sim Cooley’s Bobcats win the 1964 football state championship. He was an all-state linebacker and JC Gridwire Honorable Mention All-American in 1965.
Prior to Jones, Pennington played fullback and linebacker at Morton High School, leading the Panthers to four north division and two Little Dixie Conference championships. He was named All-Conference as a junior and a senior.
After leaving Jones, he went to Mississippi College where he was a two-year starter at linebacker for the Choctaws.
Pennington was a graduate assistant at Hinds Junior College in 1968 before becoming a teacher and coach at Tallulah High School in Louisiana in 1969. He served as assistant football coach until 1973 and as head coach from 1973-82. He was selected District Coach of the Year in 1978.
Pennington was promoted to assistant principal from 1976-82. He then became principal from 1982-85 at Newellton High School in Louisiana. He then served as Tensas Parish Superintendent of Schools from 1985-2003 when he retired.
He then returned to the education profession and became principal at Tallulah Academy in 2006, a position he still holds today.
He is a member of several education associations, as well as the JCJC Alumni Association and Bobcat Club. He is a member of the Newellton First Baptist Church, where he serves on the Usher Committee.
Pennington was reared in the Polkville, Mississippi, area and is married to the former Karen Eubanks. They have three daughters and seven grandchildren.
