Murtaugh takes the reins of Cyclone defense

 HARLAN -- From the first-year coordinator to the player personnel, Harlan Community’s defense has a brand new look in 2016.
 HCHS graduated its top 13 tacklers from a year ago and the top returnee - Josh Cheek with 16 stops - isn’t even listed on the current defensive two-deep by new coordinator John Murtaugh.
 “For all intents and purposes, we have no returning starters,” Murtaugh said. “I guess on the surface that should be a concern, but not really for me because I’ve coached them all, I know what they can do and I think we can put together a pretty solid crew.”
 Since returning to his alma mater in 2003, Murtaugh has been the head wrestling coach at HCHS and also served as the freshmen football defensive coordinator. When Ken Carstens resigned the varsity D-coordinator job last fall following 47 years on the coaching staff (37 as defensive coordinator), Murtaugh decided to seize the opportunity.