Change at the Top - SME makes a move!

Justin Hoover - Newest Head Football Coach at SM East 

As most all of us learned in the last week, SM East Head Coach Fred Bouchard has resigned his position within the SMSD #512. Coach/Dr. Fred Bouchard will begin a position within an Illinois School District as Assistant Superintendent. Best of luck to Dr. Fred Bouchard in this new chapter of his career in education, all of which has been in the state of Missouri. 

This is a first for such a large School District located in the state of Kansas, in which of all five Football programs, has never happen before with the opening of SM Northwest for the 69-70 school year. A Head Coach filling a position, only to resign. 

For those curious, if this has ever happened before in the Sunflower League, the answer is yes. 

Digging in to the Sunflower League archives, this same event happened to the Wyandotte Bulldogs in the Fall of the 1975-76 school year. Head Coach Charles Richard was hired in the Spring of the previous school year to take over the program once Bill Perry resigned following a four year tenure from 1971 to 1974. With Mr. Charles Richard abrupt resignation, Max Payne was hired and Coached the Bulldogs from 1975 to 1979. 

If this has ever taken place across the state of Kansas outside of Johnson, and Wyandotte counties, one is not aware of at this time. Currently going through all histories to check of resignations 6A to 1A histories where this has taken place. 

State wide, their have been numerous times that a Head Coach has resigned during a season or after for one reason or another. 

Coming on the heals of Dustin Delaney's resignation after the Olathe South Falcons game during the start of the 2017 season, this position was one of the hottest positions available within the Kansas City metro area. 

Assistant Coach Justin Hoover, formerly the Quarterback Coach of the Bishop Miege Stags, has been appointed Head Coach per the SMSD #512, and Athletic Director Debbie Katzfey. 

Justin Hoover becomes the 12th Head Coach for the Lancers since the Fall of the 1958 season.