Carthage native to coach Parsons High School football team

Carthage native Dustin Perkins has been hired as head football coach at Parsons, Kansas High School, according to the Parsons Sun:

"I'm excited to get going," Perkins said. "I wish practice could start tomorrow."

At the first full staff meeting at the end of the month, Perkins plans to share his philosophies and expectations for the team.

Offensively, Perkins wants to be fast-paced and spread the ball out.

"I want to be able to throw the ball a little more than we have," he said. Defensively, Perkins wants to be aggressive but fundamentally sound. He doesn't see the upcoming season as a rebuilding year.

"I expect us to compete right off the bat," he said.

Perkins was born and raised in Carthage, Mo. He started playing football in third grade and kept at it through college at Missouri Southern State University, where he played center.

Next to his father, his coaches have been the biggest male influences in his life. Perkins wants to be a similar role model and help kids become better citizens, he said.

"(My coaches) had a major impact on me and I want to have that same impact on kids," he said.

"Football is the best way I know how to do that."

Perkins has been an assistant coach at Midwest City High School, Okla., and Carthage High School, Mo. He mostly worked with the offensive line.

Perkins is engaged to be married June 28 to the niece of his former high school coach. His fiancee will move to Parsons after the wedding. She now lives in Carthage and attends Missouri Southern. Perkins feels comfortable in Parsons and thinks of it as home now, he said.