The Kansas City Chiefs have announced the Coach of the Week honors for the ninth week of the season. The awards go to Smithville coach Jason Ambroson and Olathe West coach T.J. O'Neill.
As a result of this honor, both schools will receive a $500 player health and safety grant from the Hunt Family Foundation. Each school will also receive a Gatorade Sideline Kit, including coolers, bottles and Gatorade products. Additionally, both coaches will be presented congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and a certificate recognizing their selection.
Both coaches are now qualified for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which will be voted on later this fall. The Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award is selected by a panel comprised of the Missouri and Kansas Boards from the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association. One coach will be selected from the pool of weekly winners and will be honored at the 2019 Pro Bowl as the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year.
Smithville defeated Kearney 24-10 last week to move to 10-1 and advance to the Missouri Class 4 District 8 championship game against Platte County.
"What a tremendous honor for our program to be recognized by the Kansas City Chiefs," Ambroson said. "I am extremely blessed to be associated with invested football players, top flight coaches, committed parents, professional educators, diligent support staff and a school district administration that works to fortify the investment potential of all youth. Not to mention a prideful student body that supports all things Smithville. Receiving this award proves that when a community comes together they can accomplish special things. Thank you for taking notice. Go Warriors!"
Olathe West beat Schlagle High School 49-15 to advance to the Kansas Class 5A quarterfinals in the program's first year of varsity football.
"We want to thank the Kansas City Chiefs for this great honor and recognition," O'Neill said. "Our players, coaches and community have worked extremely hard to build our program. We are excited to have the opportunity to share another Friday night together."
In its 22nd season, the 2018 High School Coach of the Week Fueled by Gatorade is a joint initiative of the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League. This program is designed to recognize and reward Kansas City area high school coaches for superior performance on a weekly basis while honoring individuals who are shaping today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.
The Kansas City Chiefs partner with PrepsKC to select Coaches of the Week from Missouri and Kansas each week. PrepsKC is the only complete multimedia coverage of high school football in the Kansas City Metro. This new way to look at high school football combines a dynamic web site, weekly magazine and comprehensive weekly radio show. More information about PrepsKC, including scores, schedules and coverage can be found at www.prepskc.com.
