Battle Spartans name new head football coach

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Battle Spartans found their guy.

On Monday night, the school announced that former Hannibal coach Shawn Gaines will take the reins of the program, following the departure of former head coach Matthew Herman in Feb. Gaines will come in with experience coaching both football, working under head coach Jeff Gschwender, and girls basketball for the Pirates.

Prior to his time at Hannibal, he played football at Culver-Stockton College and also graduated from Rock Bridge High School.

"I look forward to working with out student-athletes and families to restore the foundation on which Battle was built," Gaines said in a press release.

Gaines will be the Spartans' fourth head coach in five seasons, as he will look to improve upon a 4-16 overall record over the past two seasons under Herman.