North Panola School District has announced the hiring of Randal Montgomery to lead the Cougars football program.

He coached at Starkville High School last season as offensive coordinator. The Yellow Jackets finished the season 12-2 (9-0 at home) and advanced to the 6A North Half Championship before losing to Oxford High School.

Montgomery was head coach at Columbus High School four seasons (2014-17) where he had a 20-26 record. The Falcons made the 6A playoffs in 2015 and 2016, but posted a 2-9 mark in 2017 and he was fired after the season.

Montgomery was also head coach at Hazlehurst High School where his team made three straight appearances in state championship games.

He will be replacing Carl Diffee, who became a Cougar Nation favorite in his four seasons in Sardis. Diffee compiled a 45-10 record in four seasons, including winning two district championships (2017 and 2018).

Diffee accepted the head coaching position at Milan (Tenn.) High School in November, 2018, citing a desire to move close to his hometown of Jackson, Tenn.