[BlackcatAlum]

Shawn Hager is a football guy. Played quarterback at Belfry, coached along Jim Matney at Sheldon Clark. Took over for Matney when he took the Johnson Central job. Led the Cardinals to a 2009 Class 3A district 8 and regional 4 championship. Lost to Somerset in the state semis. He would later become an assistant at Prestonsburg and head coach of the baseball program. In 2017 he was named the head coach the new formed Floyd Central high school where he had 2 really good seasons.

I don’t think Shawn will ever get the credit he deserves. I had a friend that was a part time journalist for the Big Sandy News back when Hager was at SC and I was with him the night Hager agreed to call him after a game and give him an interview. He couldn’t have been more professional, respectful, and patient to a 19 year old that was nervous and trying to get his feet wet in journalism.

Shawn Hager knows football and he has given much of his life to the sport and has passed down this same passion to his son, Wesley Hager who now coaches at nearby Prestonsburg.

You can tell based off the social media comments that coach Shawn Hager is beloved by his players he coached at Sheldon Clark and Floyd Central.

Again, he’ll always have my respect for how he treated one of my best friends over a decade ago.

I’m hoping Wes can get his dad on staff at Prestonsburg. I’m sure coaching with your son would be sorta a dream come true. Hopefully that’s how it works out.