There is a change in leadership at Benton Consolidated High School.  Thursday night, Benton assistant AD Shane Garner was promoted to Athletic Director as former AD Ryan Miller had a change in job description in his position as assistant principal.

Miller served as the Athletic Director of the Rangers for the past 16 years.

“On behalf of the BCHS Dist. 103 board of education, thank you to Ryan Miller for many years of loyal service to our athletic department,” said BCHS Superintendent Benjy Johnson. “Ryan has been the assistant principal, transportation director, and athletic director at BCHS throughout his tenure in Benton. He has played an integral role in the most successful five years of athletics in BCHS history from 2019 through 2024.

“Over time, the demand on each of his roles has increased. With the growth and success of our athletic programs and the increase in student needs and supports Ryan has been pulled in multiple directions at the same time. This change will allow him to focus his efforts to support our students to improve attendance and behavior.”

Garner came to Benton in Spring 2022.  Previously, he coached boys basketball at Sesser-Valier for nine seasons where he was 168-98 as his alma mater. Garner’s teams won four regional and two sectional championships, as well as a fourth place finish at state in 2014.

“We are thankful that Ryan will be available to assist with Shane Garner’s transition into the athletic director position,” said Johnson. “Shane brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to his new role. As someone who has been around education and athletics for my entire life, I’m excited to see where this change will take BCHS as well as Ryan and Shane.”

The Benton Rangers were recently awarded River Radio Sports Central’s First Southern Bank Cup – an award that recognizes the top high school in athletic excellence in a school year.