Rock Bridge hires new football coach

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Rock Bridge High School has a new head football coach. Matt Perkins will take over the Bruins program after spending the last three seasons at West Plains.

Perkins led the Zizzers to a 29-6 record during his tenure. He was the Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Association coach of the year in 2020 and 2021.

This past season - West Plains averaged 47 points per game. The Zizzers lost to Hannibal in the Class 4 state quarterfinals.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my family to Columbia and join the Rock Bridge Bruins family," Perkins said in a release. "We cannot wait to meet the players and staff and to get started lighting up the scoreboard!”  

Perkins will take over for Van Vanatta. In five seasons at Rock Bridge, Vanatta led the Bruins to a record of 31-22.

Rock Bridge went 4-6 this past season. Liberty beat the Bruins 48-0 in the first round of the Class 6 playoffs.