Chiefs, Bills Recognize High School Football Coaches in Weeks 7 and 8
WHO:
chiefs.com - Thacker said Carrollton’s recognition was supported by Dalton’s Difference, the nonprofit he established in honor of his late son to promote suicide awareness and prevention.
chiefs.com - Holmes is a Bishop Miege alumnus, graduated in 2002, and has coached at the school since 2012 after eight years as an assistant.
chiefs.com - Ke’Von Smith previously led KIPP KC Legacy High School’s football program; he played football at Peru State College. His father, Pat Harris, broadcasts Harmon games, and his brother Xavier helps on game days.
buffalobills.com - Curt Fischer graduated from Falconer in 1981, played under coach Bill Race, and joined Falconer’s coaching staff in 1987. Before coaching, he worked at Cummins Engine for 37 years.
denverbroncos.com - Norwood’s assistants include Morgan Rummel, Brad Campbell’s first cousin, and Blayde Harrigan; Wes Tackett also joined the coaching staff.
packers.com - Tim Serum is a high school math teacher. He graduated from Mondovi High School in 2013 and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2018; his wife is Madi, and they have a son, Leo.
chiefs.com - The Kansas City Chiefs named Carrollton High School head coach Kirk Thacker of Missouri and Bishop Miege High School head coach Jon Holmes of Kansas as Week 7 Coach of the Week recipients.
chiefs.com - The Chiefs named Benton High School head coach Mark Cole of Missouri and Harmon High School head coach Ke’Von Smith of Kansas as Week 8 recipients.
buffalobills.com - The Buffalo Bills and Visa named Curt Fischer of Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove the Buffalo-region Week 8 Coach of the Week and Tyler Winter of Oakfield-Alabama/Elba the Rochester-region recipient.
denverbroncos.com - The Denver Broncos recognized Brad Campbell, Norwood’s head coach, as the High School Tackle Coach of the Week.
packers.com - The Green Bay Packers named Tim Serum of Osseo-Fairchild High School their High School Coach of the Week.
giants.com - The New York Giants and Gatorade selected Chris Pace of Masuk High School in Monroe, Connecticut, as Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 9.
colts.com - The Indianapolis Colts and IHSAA named Kevin Woolsey, Troy Kough, Dan Hufnagel, Mike Tolley, Caleb Andry and Isaac Bowles the October High School Officiating Crew of the Month.
WHAT:
chiefs.com - Thacker said, “Our program is honored to be recognized by the Kansas City Chiefs,” Holmes said.
chiefs.com - Carrollton entered 2026 after going 6-6 and reaching the MSHSAA Class 2 District 6 championship game in 2025. Thacker was in his first season as Carrollton head coach.
chiefs.com - Thacker served on the MSHSAA Football Advisory Committee and was named KMZU Radio’s Coach of the Year four times: 2008–09, 2012 and 2020.
chiefs.com - Bishop Miege’s 7-0 start was its first undefeated start through Week 7 since its 13-0, Class 4A championship season in 2017. The Stags had 1,729 rushing yards, 1,690 passing yards, 400 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, six fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
chiefs.com - Bishop Miege holds a Kansas state-record 11 championships and five EKL championships during Holmes’s tenure; Holmes’s teams were state runners-up in 2012, 2024 and 2025.
chiefs.com - Benton had not recorded a winning season or reached five wins since 2010; its 2026 record was its best in 16 years. Benton outscored opponents by an average of 26 points during a three-game winning streak.
chiefs.com - Harmon went 2-3 in Meadowlark District play, its best district record since 2011, and had not won four games in a season since 2004. The team’s first consecutive wins in more than 10 years came against Northeast, 24-3, and Southeast, 29-12.
buffalobills.com - Junior Brody Hawkins ran 14 times for 121 yards and three touchdowns; senior Dylan Newman had 19 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns. The team rushed for 323 yards. Grand Island coach Gene Masters previously held the Section VI victories record.
buffalobills.com - Tyler Winter said he uses football coaching for “holistic education” and to prepare players for life after high school. The Aggies volunteer at youth camps and community events, and won the RCCFO Sportsmanship Team Award in three of the previous five seasons.
denverbroncos.com - Brad Campbell said he graduated from Norwood in 2013, played in three semifinals from 2009–2011, and was in his fifth year coaching at Norwood. The team hosted its first playoff game in nine seasons the previous year, winning in double overtime against Simla.
packers.com - Osseo-Fairchild’s program has 36 players. Players referee elementary flag football and visit the elementary school on home game days through the “Thunder Good Morning” program.
giants.com - Chris Pace’s previous head-coaching record was 50-15. He earned degrees from Springfield College, the College of Mount Saint Vincent and Concordia University Irvine. Masuk finished 2025 at 5-5 and is competing in Class M after an enrollment decline.
chiefs.com - Each Chiefs Coach of the Week receives a $1,000 Hunt Family Foundation grant, a Chiefs bucket hat, a certificate and a custom game ball; recipients also qualify for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award.
chiefs.com - Carrollton was 7-1 (2-1 district) after defeating Holden 54-46; it was the Trojans’ highest-scoring game of the season and first win over Holden since 2020. Thacker’s career record was 140-71, with six conference titles, three district titles and two state runner-up finishes.
chiefs.com - Bishop Miege was 7-0 (6-0 district), ranked No. 1 in Kansas Class 4A, and had won seven straight. Through seven games, it recorded 3,419 offensive yards, 36 touchdowns and 488.4 yards per game. Holmes had won seven state titles, including six consecutive titles from 2014–19 and another in 2022.
chiefs.com - Benton improved to 5-4 with a 31-20 win over Chillicothe; the Cardinals scored on an 84-yard touchdown on the opening play. Cole was in his second season at Benton and had six district titles, six conference titles, 10 playoff appearances and three semifinal appearances as a coach.
chiefs.com - Harmon finished the regular season 4-4 after beating Schlagle 28-8, securing a postseason berth. The Hawks had gone 1-8 in 2025 and 4-37 combined from 2021 through 2025; their 2026 record was the program’s best since 2011.
buffalobills.com - Fischer’s team beat Southwestern 43-6, finished 6-2 and clinched its first league title since 2007. Fischer’s 249th career win broke the Section VI head-coach victories record. His career record was 249-72; his teams won state titles in 1998 and 2008.
buffalobills.com - Winter’s team beat Avon 34-6 and improved to 6-2. Alex Ohlson rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries and made two interceptions. Winter’s OAE record was 39-22; he led the team to Section V Class D titles in 2021 and 2022 and a Far West Regional Championship in 2021.
denverbroncos.com - Norwood was 7-1 and ranked No. 5 in 8-Man football. Campbell described the team’s senior experience and emphasis on fundamentals as important to its success.
packers.com - Serum, in his second season as head coach, led Osseo-Fairchild to its first playoff win since 2010, beating No. 2 seed Shiocton in Level 1 of the Division 7 WIAA playoffs. The team had won two games in 2025.
giants.com - Masuk improved to 6-0 with a 42-37 road win over previously undefeated Pomperaug. Masuk had also beaten Bunnell 41-26 and scored at least 40 points in four consecutive games.
colts.com - The six-person officiating crew had more than 125 years of combined experience; Woolsey, Kough, Hufnagel and Tolley officiated the 2025 Class 5A State Finals.
WHERE:
chiefs.com - Thacker’s nonprofit, Dalton’s Difference, works to promote suicide awareness and prevention and encourage students and communities to recognize the value of every life.
buffalobills.com - Fischer’s teams won state championships in 1998 and 2008.
chiefs.com - The Chiefs’ weekly program recognizes coaches from Missouri and Kansas.
buffalobills.com - Fischer represents the Buffalo region of western New York; Winter represents the Rochester region.
denverbroncos.com - Campbell coaches at Norwood in Colorado.
packers.com - Serum coaches at Osseo-Fairchild High School in Osseo, Wisconsin.
giants.com - Masuk High School is in Monroe, Connecticut.
colts.com - The Colts and IHSAA program recognizes high school football officials throughout Indiana.
WHY:
chiefs.com - The Chiefs’ Coach of the Week program recognizes coaches’ impact on players, programs and communities, including preparing student-athletes for life beyond football.
buffalobills.com - The Bills and Visa program highlights coaches’ on-field work and service to their communities.
giants.com - The Giants’ award recognizes commitment to high school football, student-athlete development and community involvement; it honors former Union High School coach Lou Rettino.
colts.com - The Colts and IHSAA recognize officials for experience, community involvement and impartiality.
HOW:
packers.com - Packers Coach of the Week nominations must be submitted to Football Outreach Coordinator Jake Krueger by 10 a.m. every Monday and include the nominee’s name, address, school, phone number and reason for nomination.
chiefs.com - The Chiefs partner with PrepsKC to select one Missouri and one Kansas coach each week. The 30-year program is jointly run with the NFL, and Uncrustables is its presenting partner.
buffalobills.com - The Bills and Visa provide each winning coach’s program $1,000; each regional Coach of the Year receives another $1,000 and recognition on the field at Highmark Stadium before the Bills–Jets game in January.
denverbroncos.com - The Broncos and CHSAA recognize one flag-football coach and one tackle-football coach each week; honorees appear in a pregame ceremony at Broncos home games.
packers.com - Packers Coach of the Week winners receive a $1,000 donation to their school football program from the Packers and NFL Foundation.
giants.com - Pace’s selection brings Masuk’s football program a $2,000 Giants Foundation and Gatorade grant; he also receives a certificate signed by Giants head coach John Harbaugh and recognition at a postseason dinner and a 2027 preseason home game.
colts.com - The IHSAA selects monthly honorees based on experience, community involvement and impartial officiating.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and New York Giants recognized high school football coaches for their work, while the Indianapolis Colts honored six officials. The Chiefs’ honorees included coaches whose teams reached notable milestones: Carrollton improved to 7-1, Bishop Miege opened 7-0, Benton reached five wins and Harmon secured a postseason berth. Other highlights included Falconer coach Curt Fischer earning his 249th career victory as his team clinched its first league title since 2007, Osseo-Fairchild winning its first playoff game since 2010, and Norwood reaching a 7-1 record.