It did not take long for Knoxville to hire a new wrestling coach. A week after it was announced the Former Coach Eric Whitcome was leaving to take the same potion at Waverly-Shell Rock…Knoxville Athletic Director Randy Wilson says Ron Peterson is the new head wrestling coach for the Panthers. Peterson comes to Knoxville from Martensdale St. Mary’s where he had been the athletic director. Before that, he developed an impressive wrestling resume. He guided Clarksville to the 1991 team state title and did the same thing four years later at Cedar Rapids Prairie compiling a 177-25-3 dual meet record. Peterson then spent 13 years guiding the Simpson College program to a 195-105-2 mark. He was also inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008. Also Knoxville High School Art Teacher Brian Barkey has been hired to replace Tony Rozenboom as the boys golf coach. However Knoxville will have to look for a new boys basketball coach as Clint Driftmier is leaving to take a teaching position in the Norwalk school district. In Driftmier’s only season as head coach he guided the Panthers to a 3-19 season.