Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year by Class Announced. Over 40 media members in Kansas in all parts of the state determine our awards by voting and are counted/finalized by Chet Kuplen of Sports in Kansas. Congrats to the Coaches of the Year that were honored this week at our all-state event – powered by Mammoth Sports Construction, Nex-Tech Wireless, SAFE, Lewis Automotive Group, Jocks Nitch and Watco. All-State teams by classification and non-senior teams will be out 12/2-12/4. Be sure to check back on social media for more professional photos from the creative team we had in attendance and follow along for more postseason awards, honors, patches, apparel coming out over the weekend. Click here for all of the COY FINALISTS
2023 Sports in Kansas Football Coach of the Year Honors
6A Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year
Jesse Owen, Gardner Edgerton
Owen led Gardner Edgerton to their first ever state title this season as they defeated Derby, 22-19, in the state title game. GE has made it to three state games in school history for football, two consecutively under Owen. Owen was a standout football player himself, as he was the Kansas defensive player of the year in all classes of Kansas at Olathe North in 1996 before playing at Pittsburg State. GE was known for their top-notch defense led by Bryan McCall.
5A Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year
Joel Applebee, Mill Valley
Applebee has won five state titles in a row in Class 5A for the Jaguars. He is also 7-0 all-time in title games. The most ever for a coach without a loss in Kansas high school football history. MV defended their title for the fifth year in a row as they defeated Kapaun in the 5A title game in Pittsburg. Applebee is a repeat selection as coach of the year.
4A Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year
Randy Dreiling, Aquinas
Dreiling has nine state titles as a head football coach which ties the state record for most all-time. It marks his second state title at Aquinas (2023, 2018) after winning seven at Hutchinson prior to STA. Aquinas captured the 4A state championship, 35-7, over Andover Central.
All-Classes & 3A Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year
Shelby Wehrman, Cheney
Wehrmann led the Cardinals to their first ever state title by defeating Topeka-Hayden, 34-7, in the 3A state championship in Hutchinson. Wehrman ended the Andale streak at 57-games during the regular season in district play after being down 22. He did it again after trailing by 24 in the state semifinals to knock off Andale, 28-24. Cheney also beat Clay Center on a field goal, 23-21, to knock them out. It was a magical season for the Cardinals who won six games in a row at home before playing in the state championship game.
Congratulations to head coach Shelby Wehrman for his Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year Award. Citizens State Bank is proud supporter of Cheney Cardinal Athletics!
Congratulations Coach Wehrman on your Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year Award – The Burdick Family
2A Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year
Michael Glatczak
Glatczak has led the Thunder to back to back state titles in 2A with a 26-game winning streak. NC beat Hoisington in the state title game 28-14 in the title game last Saturday in Salina. NC has now won three state titles since 2019. The school consolidated Nemaha Valley and Baileyville B&B in 2014 to form Nemaha Central. NC had eight shoutouts this season led by their defensive coordinator Mark Mayberry. NC also led by a talented cast of players on the offensive line with great size that wore teams down late in the game.
1A Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year
Matt Biehler, Conway Springs
Biehler led the Cardinals to their first state championship since 2011 as CS defeated Jefferson County North 35-6 in the title game. Conway won 11 games in a row after starting out the season 0-2 against Kansas competition. Biehlers squad was led by all-state RB Brayden Kunz who had over 2,800 yards rushing behind a talented offensive line that had a very successful year up front.
8M-I Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year
Michael Massey, Lyndon
First year head coach Michael Massey led the Lyndon Tigers to their first ever state title as they defeated 2022 champion Leoti-Wichita County 34-6 on Saturday in Newton. Lyndon was led by a solid cast of players, many who you will see on our all-state lists but headlined by 72 touchdowns by senior Tanner Heckel. Lyndon had five shutouts on defense and only had one neck and neck game all season in a 38-to-34 win over Chase county.
8M-II Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year
Eric Detweiler, Axtell
Detweiler is no stranger to winning this award as he takes it home for the third consecutive time. The Eagles have won three straight 8M-II titles and have a 39-game winning streak going into next season. The most impressive thing is they’ve only lost three seniors. Axtell would win by point rule in the 8M-II title game over South Central.
6-Man Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year
Chris Walden, Cheylin
Walden helped Cheylin to their first ever KSHSAA state title three years after winning one when the classification was not yet sanctioned. The Cougars dominated everything in their path for 2023, including a 57-8 victory over last years champion Cunningham in the title game. Cheylin finished 13-0 when you count the bye on the season and had six shoutouts defensively. They were led by star seniors Logan McCarty and Pablo Bermudez.
Congrats to Coach Walden on 6-man Coach of the Year!! Way to represent out community! – McCarty Family Farms.
Assistant Coach of the Year – Big Classes (4A, 5A, 6A)
Bryan McCall, Gardner Edgerton
McCall helped lead the Trailblazers to their first ever state title game. GE had three shoutouts against one of the best schedules in the state along with allowing one score or less on eight occasions. GE allowed just 8.8 points per game this season. Mark Debiak and Kaleb Dewey helped lead the way for a loaded defensive group.
Assistant Coach of the Year – Small Classes (3A and below)
Mark Mayberry, Nemaha Central
Mayberry allowed just six points during the regular season (first eight games). NC had seven shoutouts this season. They allowed just 67 points all season through their 13 wins, meaning they allowed 5.2 points per game against a very good Big 7 and 2A schedule.
