Russellville Middle School has announced the hiring of Katy Johnson Whitfordas the Russellville Middle School Head Softball Coach.

Coach Katy played softball for RHS from 2005-2009 and was on the cheer squad from 2007-2009.

When it comes to Panther Athletics, Coach Katy has it in her blood. Her grandfather, Larry Johnson, is considered one of the greatest Russellville Panther football players ever. Her father, Larry “Little Larry” Johnson Jr., was the quarterback for the 1990 Russellville Panther Football State Championship team. Her maternal uncle, Billy Warden, was an outstanding Panther athlete in late sixties.

She is married to Demetrius ‘Meech’ Whitford, also a former outstanding athlete for the Panthers.

Katy Whitford graduated from WKU with a degree in Elementary Education, received Highly Qualified status for middle school science in 2018, received a masters in Literacy Education in 2018 from the University of the Cumberlands, and is currently working on her Rank 1 and becoming Gifted and Talented certified. She’s currently the Project Lead The Way coordinator and teacher at RMS, Gifted and Talented teacher for SES, RMS and RHS. 

Coach Katy coached middle school cheer at Lewisburg for three years. She served as the assistant middle and high softball coach for RMS/RHS during the 2019-2020 seasons.

After accepting the District Athletic Director position for Russellville Independent Schools, former RMS Softball Coach Ryan Davenport decided to step down as RMS softball coach. 

Coach Davenport released this statement:

“I have tremendous confidence in Coach Katy and her ability to lead our young Panthers. She brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our softball program. She has a great ability to connect with our students. Over the past year I have watched her build great relationships with our athletes and mentor them. She's a coach that truly cares about her players and she loves being a Panther. I’m excited to see our middle school softball program continue to excel under her direction.”