John Bland

University of Arkansas – B.S.

Mr. John Bland joined the Catholic High faculty in April of 2024. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas in Kinesiology. While at Arkansas, Mr. Bland played football for the Razorbacks under coach Ken Hatfield and was named team captain for the Hogs for the 1988 SWC champions. He then went on to Auburn University where he earned a Masters degree in Kinesiology and was a graduate assistant coach for the Auburn football team, serving under coach Pat Dye. Mr. Bland’s career started at Columbia HS in Tennessee, where he was an assistant football coach and taught Biology and Advanced Physical Education. His next stop was at Southern Arkansas University where he coached football and taught a variety of classes in the Kinesiology department. After 7 years at SAU, Mr. Bland was offered a Coaching position at Rice University as an assistant under his college coach, Ken Hatfield. In 2006, Mr. Bland and his family moved to Williamsburg, KY, where he was the head Football Coach at University of the Cumberlands for eight seasons. He was named Coach of the Year five times, had six play-off appearances, and was National runner-up in 2013. Mr. Bland was inducted into the UC Hall of Fame in 2020. Mississippi College was the next stop where Mr. Bland served as the head football coach & taught a class in the Kinesiology department. He was named Gulf South Conference Coach of Year one time at Mississippi College. In addition to teaching Civics, Intro to Fitness, and PE/Health, Coach Bland is the quarterback coach for the Rockets.