Harrisburg promotes assistant Gunnar Wilbanks to head football coach

Wilbanks spent last season as the Hornets' strength and conditioning coordinator as well as linebackers coach.

Per the football program’s Twitter, Harrisburg has promoted Gunnar Wilbanks to head football coach. Wilbanks spent last season as the Hornets' strength and conditioning coordinator as well as linebackers coach. He has also had tenures at Valley View and Jonesboro.

The Gillett native takes over for Aaron Thornton who has served as head coach and athletic director since 2017, compiling a 24-27 record. Thornton announced in late February via Twitter that he accepted the position as athletic director at Greene County Tech.

The Hornets will be moving up from the 3A-3 to the 4A-3 for the 2022-24 conference cycle. They will compete against Blytheville, Gosnell, Highland, Pocahontas, Rivercrest, Trumann, and Jonesboro Westside.