(10-17-24) The Mercer County (Illinois) football team will be without their head coach this Friday and for the future after Head Coach Tanner Matlick was suspended indefinitely on Monday, Oct. 14.

The Golden Eagles, 3-4 on the season, will play Princeton on Friday night.

Mercer County Superintendent Tim Farquer issued a statement Monday evening:

“Mercer County Schools has suspended head football coach Tanner Matlick indefinitely. This action is not the result of a singular event but a combination of a series of events resulting in a climate and culture below the expectations of the school district and the community. Coach Jason Kenney has been named interim coach. Please direct all inquiries to the district office.”

Matlick is a 2013 graduate of the school and was in his second year as the head coach. Jason Kenny has been named the interim head coach.