Sterling High School’s Brent Schneider, Andale’s Dylan Schmidt and Cunningham’s Lance McGuire, who guided their football teams to state championships, were named Coaches of the Year in Classes 1A, 3A and Six-Man by Sports in Kansas.
Andale’s Tyler Ryan was named Small Classes (3A and lower) Assistant Coach of the Year.
Sports in Kansas announced the Coaches of the Year Thursday on its social media pages.
Other Sports in Kansas Coach of the Year honorees were Olathe Northwest’s Lorne Clark (6A), Basehor-Linwood’s Rod Stallbaumer (5A), Kapaun Mount-Carmel’s Weston Schartz (4A), Nemaha Central’s Michael Glatczak (2A), South Central’s Brett Westrup (Eight-Man I), Hanover’s Matt Heuer (Eight-Man II), Holcomb’s Trey Teeter (Under 30) and Salina Central’s Tony Chesney (Kansas Large Classes Assistant Coach of the Year (6A–5A–4A).
Brent Schneider guided the Black Bears to their first state football title since 1982. A Sterling College alum, Schneider brought a physical brand of football and a gritty identity that culminated in a 35-34 victory over traditional power Rossville in the 1A title game.
Schmidt guided the Indians to a 38-6 victory over Topeka Hayden to secure their sixth 3A state championship in the last seven seasons and their second straight title.
Ryan coached one of the most physical and dominant offensive line units in the state at Andale, a program widely considered elite regardless of class. His group consistently set the tone with physicality, quickness and toughness, all trademarks of Andale football.
McGuire built one of the premier 6-Man football programs in Kansas. The Wildcats returned to the top in 2025.
McGuire has now led Cunningham to two state championships in the last four seasons. He earned his second SIK Coach of the Year honor after first being recognized in 2022.
