The Sesser-Valier Red Devils have found their new head football coach. Former standout player and assistant coach Nick Wingo is taking the reigns from hall of fame duo John Shadowens and Mike Rude – both of whom resigned in recent months.
In a release Wingo said, “It is a true honor to be named the head football coach at Sesser-Valier High School. As someone who grew up in this community, I understand the pride, tradition, and work ethic that defines our football program. I am excited to continue to help lead our student-athletes with passion, discipline, and heart. I am all-in and can’t wait to get to work!”
Wingo has plenty of coaching experience. He served as an assistant coach for 5 seasons for the Red Devils football team and 6 seasons as head coach of Sesser-Valier’s junior high boys basketball team.
In the past 5 seasons, including the pandemic shortened Spring 2021 season, Sesser-Valier has the second best win percentage in the area, boasting a 77% win percentage with a 37-11 record. The Red Devils have made 8 straight postseason, including a trip to the 1A State Quarterfinals in 2023.
“We enjoyed what I believe was one of the best assistant coaching staffs in Southern Illinois the past few yearsand Coach Wingo was integral, ” Shadowens said via the release. “I’m pleased that we hired in-house and our football tradition can continue.”
Rude is now the head coach at Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton. He has a 260-190 career record, good enough for #20 in IHSA history and the best in the Deep South.
Shadowens steps away from his second stint as Red Devils coach with a career record of 117-93.
