The search is on for a new head football coach at Hutchinson High School, which has won 235 games since 1998.
Salthawks’ head football coach Mike Vernon was fired effective Dec. 11, according to the personnel report approved during Monday night’s Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education meeting.
“We are taking Salthawk football in a new direction,” said Hutchinson High School activity director Steve Kappenman. “We posted the position on Tuesday. It is open for potential coaching candidates to apply on the USD 308 website.”
Vernon was 46-33 in eight seasons as the Salthawks’ head coach including an 8-3 record in 2024 and a 7-3 campaign in 2025.
The Salthawks’ 2024 and 2025 seasons ended with playoff losses to Hays High School. In 2024, Hays beat Hutchinson 28-0 in the Kansas Class 5A semifinals. In 2025, Hays defeated Hutchinson 27-6 in the second round.
“I am obviously disappointed that it ended in this manner,” Vernon said. “However, I’m extremely grateful for the players and coaches that I worked so closely with over the last eight years. I have a treasure trove of great memories and even better friendships. I wish nothing but the best for Salthawk football going forward.”
Vernon replaced Ryan Cornelsen as head coach in 2018. Cornelson coached the Salthawks from 2014-2018 and posted a 29-15 record.
Randy Dreiling coached the Salthawks from 1998-2013. He won 160 games and seven state titles in Classes 5A and 6A (including six straight from 2004-2009). He has coached St. Thomas Aquinas to three state titles since he took over that program.
Vernon was an assistant coach for Dreiling from 2008-2011. Hutchinson won state titles in 2008, 2009 and 2011.
Vernon was the head coach at Inman High School in 2012 and 2013 and posted back-to-back 6-3 seasons.
Vernon served as head football coach at Nickerson High School from 2015-2017. He posted a 17-13 record and took the Panthers to three state playoff appearances.
Vernon served as an assistant coach for three Kansas Shrine Bowl football games (2020, 2021 and 2025).
