Van Paschal hired as head football coach at Cross County

Paschal led Heber Springs to a 6-5 record in his lone season with the Panthers

Van Paschal is headed back to Northeast Arkansas.

Cross County announced on Tuesday morning that the school hired Paschal, who is tied with Wynne's Clay Totty as the state's winningest active coach, to be the program's next head football coach.

"I appreciate the opportunity," Paschal said in a release from the school. "It's one of those things that, honestly, I didn't see coming, but after much prayer and walking through the doors we believe as a family that God is leading us back to the Cross County area and the Cross County School District. We are excited for the opportunity to be a T-Bird and to come in and establish a great program and bring a state championship to Cross County." 

Paschal led one of the state's most impressive turnarounds last fall in his lone season at Heber Springs, guiding the Panthers to a second-place finish in the 4A-2 behind state champion Harding Academy. 

That feat hardly scratches the surface of Paschal's career that spans nearly four decades and includes 247 wins, multiple conference titles, a state runner-up finish with Barton in 2011 and a state championship with Monticello in 2009. 

Welcome Coach Van Paschal to the Thunderbird Family. pic.twitter.com/csBqGq4IOu

— Cross County Schools (@CrossCountySD) January 23, 2024

Shortly after Paschal was hired at Heber Springs, he mentioned that it was his goal to provide "a shot in the arm" for the Panthers after he, too, was given a fresh start following a controversial exit from Wynne. 

He accomplished that and now is looking to do the same with the Thunderbirds, who just had their first winning season since 2016 while competing in the ultra-deep 2A-2, as well as playing multiple underclassmen.

Of the returning players Paschal will have at his disposal, 2026 lineman Danny Beale (6-4, 315) is one to watch as he already has multiple Division I offers, including Arkansas.

Cross County finished 5-4 in 2023, including 4-3 in conference play, under Cody Goulart. Goulart stepped down in December after four seasons to become the high school's principal.

(Cover photo by Jimmy Jones)

– Kyle Sutherland | @k_sutherlandAR