Dameron hired as Panthers’ next football coach

The Eastern athletic department announced Friday that former Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator Kim Dameron will be the Panthers’ head coach following the departure of Dino Babers.

Dameron will be introduced at a press conference at 11 a.m. Saturday Kennard Club Room in Lantz Arena. The press conference is open to the media and the public.

Dameron’s coaching history has seen him make stops at Cornell (2011-12), Mississippi (2008-10), Louisiana Monroe (2005-07), Stephen F. Austin (2001-04), Eastern (2000), the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (1999), Cincinnati (1996-98), Murray State (1993-95), UNLV (1992), Missouri State (1986-91), and Arkansas (1983).

Dameron played wide receiver and defensive back at Arkansas from 1979 to 1982.

Dameron’s Louisiana Tech team finished 69th in the nation in total defense under his direction after being ranked 120th the previous season. He worked under former Eastern head coach Bob Spoo in 2000 as a defensive coordinator.