Head Coach Katzenmeier

by Sydney Shain

Throughout the past four years, Eudora High Varsity Football has been under the direct leadership of four different head coaches. In a clear break with former practices, the school administration made the decision last year to hire the man that’s been behind the scenes through it all.

Phil Katzenmeier was hired as head coach starting this year, but he’s been a key component in their training and conditioning throughout the years as an assistant coach. With each new coach, Mr. Katzenmeier has been a constant influence. However, the different habits and practices of the head coaches throughout the years have made adapting to each one an ambitious task, for sure.

“It’s been extremely difficult to jump from coaching style to coaching style year after year,” Griffin Katzenmeier, Sr., said. “Not only the plays we run, but the way we’re coached, has been different. It feels like it’s a complete 360 every year in both scheme and coaching styles.”

Training and conditioning hasn’t varied substantially in the past few years, but Katzenmeier has made definite changes in other key areas.

“There are some differences in the logistics of how practices are run, as well as game day procedures,” Coach Katzenmeier said. “With a lot of those things, assistant coaches and players had some input.

“We’re still going through some growing pains, and making adjustments.”

Students won’t forget when the decision to allow Katzenmeier to be the head coach was made. For the seniors this year, who have been under the leadership of different coaches for every year of their high school football career, it was especially meaningful.

“Four different coaches in four years is unheard of. When Katz got the job it was like a feeling of relief,” Grant Elston, Sr., said.

Griffin Katzenmeier, Senior on the football team as well as the coach’s son, had a different point of view when it came to finding out the news.

“My mom let it slip a little early. I managed to trick her into spilling the beans, but I did my best to keep it to myself when I found out,” Griffin said.

“The fact that [the team and I] have spent so much time together helps a lot,” Coach Katzenmeier said. “When we started the first game, I didn’t feel like it was new.”