Free State head coach Jason Pendleton looks on during the match against Olathe South on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, at Free State.

Less than a month after leading the Free State High boys soccer program to its best finish in school history, Firebirds coach Jason Pendleton will leave the program he helped build.

Pendleton, who guided FSHS to a 16-5 record and a berth in the Class 6A state championship game, stepped down last week after 11 seasons in charge of the boys program. He also coached the Free State girls for 10 seasons.

“The toughest part of contemplating the move is leaving behind players who I care about so much,” Pendleton said.

Pendleton’s decision to leave was based on more than soccer. In making the move to Blue Valley Southwest High, which is scheduled to open in 2010, he will earn a substantially higher salary for both teaching and coaching.

“If the money was equal I would not even remotely consider leaving,” Pendleton said. “But financially, I have to look out for my long-term interest. It’s also a very exciting opportunity to open up a brand new school and build a soccer program from the ground up.”

One of Pendleton’s returning players said he was not surprised.

“We all kind of had a feeling that he was going to leave this year or next year,” junior Diego Gonzalez said. “After all we’ve accomplished, we thought he would go coach in college or junior college or something.”

Gonzalez said that losing the three-time Sunflower League Coach of the Year would not be easy, but added that the chore of carrying on without him was something he looked forward to.

“It’s disappointing that we can’t show coach what next year’s seniors can do,” Gonzalez said. “But, in a good way, it’s going to be a great challenge to show everybody what we can do without him.”

Pendleton, who was also the 2006 Kansas History Teacher of the Year, will remain at Free State through the end of the current school year.

He also will coach the girls team this spring.

Free State athletic director Mike Hill said no timetable had been set to find a replacement.

“Jason’s an outstanding coach and an even better classroom teacher,” Hill said. “It’s certainly our loss, but we’re happy for him and we wish him the best.”