Matt Middleton rejoins Cedar Creek football as coach, replacing Steve Ensminger Jr.
The search for a new football coach at Cedar Creek lasted a little over 24 hours with the a familiar face. Matt Middleton is returning to lead the program and serve as athletic director.
Middleton led the Cougars to a 6-4 record in 2021 and a spot in the playoffs but lost to Ouachita Christian 35-7 in the first round. He was named the 2-1A District Coach of the Year.
Middleton left in January 2022 to become offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Southern Arkansas University. His replacement was named a month later, Steve Ensminger Jr. However, Tuesday after roughly four months on the job.
"Coach Middleton has a long history of molding young student athletes into well rounded individuals," the school said in a press release. "The school and coach Middleton have made a multi year commitment to each other and look forward to many years of success both on the field and in the class room."
TOP RETURNERS: QBs | RBs | DBs | LBs
RESIGNATION: Steve Ensminger Jr. resigns as Cedar Creek football head coach and athletics director
The Cougars open the 2022 season on Sept. 3 at Glenbrook.
Ensminger came to Cedar Creek for his first head coaching position after spending time as quarterbacks coach at Ruston.
Before Middleton took over at Cedar Creek he was the coach at West Ouachita for four years (2017-20), leading the Chiefs to consecutive playoff appearances and helped them transition into the LHSAA Class 5A in 2019.
In 2021 under Middleton, the Cougars outscored opponents 316-96, including two shutouts to wrap up the regular season.
Emely Hernandez covers University of Louisiana-Monroe athletics and high school sports. Email her at ehernandez@thenewsstar.com and follow her on Twitter @emhernandeznews.
This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Matt Middleton returns to Cedar Creek, takes over football program
