photo by: Contributed photo

Kevin Stewart was named the next Free State football coach on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019.

Free State has found its new head football coach.

Per a release from the school district, FSHS Athletic Director Amanda Faunce named Kevin Stewart the new head football coach and physical education teacher, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

“Even though he is already a resident of Lawrence, we are excited to officially welcome Kevin Stewart to the Firebird community to serve as our strength and conditioning teacher and head football coach,” Faunce said in an official release. “Kevin possesses an energy and enthusiasm for working with youth and student athletes that is contagious. His passion for the game of football is unparalleled.”

Stewart currently serves as a teacher, assistant football coach and defensive coordinator at Blue Valley North, which finished as the 2018 Kansas 6A state runner-up with a record of 9-4. His football players were also named the 2017 Kansas 6A state champions (9-4) and the 2016 6A regional champions (7-4) during his time there.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be the head football coach at Free State High School. I’ve been blessed throughout my life with great parents, coaches, mentors, and friends,” Stewart said. “I would like to thank Myron Graber, Amanda Faunce, and Andy Sims, and all of the administration at Free State High School and Blue Valley North for believing in me. I cannot wait to start working with the team.”

Stewart has found success at all of his different stops as an assistant football coach.

In 2015-16, Stewart served as an assistant high school football coach, defensive line coach and special teams coordinator for Wichita Northwest High School, the 2015 Greater Wichita Athletic League champions and 6A district and regional champions (10-1).

Prior to that, Stewart was an assistant football coach and offensive coordinator for McLouth between 2008-12 and 2013-15. McLouth finished as Delaware Valley league champions in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

During the 2012-13 school year, Stewart served as an assistant football and basketball coach at Lyndon High School. In his lone year, the Tigers were the 2012 Flint Hills league and sectional champions with an 11-1 record.

Stewart earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas. As a player, he was a redshirt freshman free safety at Pittsburg State and a starting safety and letterman at Ottawa University before transferring to KU and starting his coaching career at McLouth.

Stewart replaces Bob Lisher, who has been the only head coach the program has ever known since the school opened in 1997. The Firebirds went 148-85 under Lisher, making 18 playoff appearances, including a trip to the 6A title game in 2008. Free State won five Sunflower League titles under Lisher.

“While one can never replace the impact coach Bob Lisher has had on the Firebirds’ football program, we look forward to coach Stewart building upon our traditions and continuing our expectation of excellence,” Faunce said.