New Season, New Coaches

In the past few weeks I have been to 11 different schools doing football previews for the new season. From those 11 schools, four had new coaches. OK, that doesn't sound like that big of deal, but in week one I saw seven teams and all four new coaches were in those seven teams. So the coaching turnover rate of my first week of football was more than half. WOW

I went into this season thinking I would have it easier than last because all of the coaches already knew me. I knew of two of those changes but the other two were shockers. One thing I am thankful for is that I'm in southwest Kansas, every team out here is super happy to get any coverage so typically the coaches want me there.... first season or twentieth.

Jetmore was the first stop I made. New coach, Russell Durler, a former Longhorn. Durler graduated in 2003 from Jetmore high school and from there went on to a one year stint at Garden City Community College coaching the defensive line. Durler has a tough task with only four starters returning. Last season the Longhorns went 4-5... two seasons ago they were 9-0. In those seasons it was Chad Cahoon pulling the reins. Cahoon left this season only because he said he was burnt out.

Moving over to Jetmore's rival, Spearville. Longtime Lancer head coach Kelly Lampe left after seasons of 3-6 and 5-5. This season the new option heavy offense the Lancers will run was introduced by Matt Fowler. Fowler is also bold enough to do some position transitions. The biggest for the team will be moving quarterback Ryon King to fullback... I mean he does have and extra 20 pounds on him this season. Fowler says the teams discipline will be what leads them to victory in '09.

Now more south. Minneola adjusts to former assistant coach Aaron Schilde stepping into the head coaching role. Schilde will have some hefty shoes to fill of former head coach Curtis Albin, after last season's 7-2 record, 4-1 SPIAA record and a trip to the playoffs. He does however, have seven returners which includes 1,300 yard season QB Ethan Ediger.

So the furthest south, Liberal. Former defensive coordinator at Tulsa Union High in Oklahoma, Wade Standley is now the big dog at Liberal. Liberal's a team who is typically good. For the past few seasons good turned to not so good. Just 2-2 in the WAC for the past two seasons. The Skins even had the player of the year on their team in Nate Davis, and they still couldn't win? So Standley has brought the Spread...a running option game... and his multiple stacked Defensive. The players are responding well to him and because of that he has found the quirks that make the team tick. First and for most.... the team's speed. Ranked third in the WAC coaches preseason poll, Standley hopes for an even better post season.

Keep looking for updates of these school at the CIK website!