OLATHE, Kan. – Olathe East High School is looking for a new head football coach after Courtney Porter announced he is stepping down following seven seasons leading the Hawks.
The school announced the change in a news release dated Tuesday, Nov. 10, praising Porter for his leadership, dedication to student-athletes and contributions to the football program.
The announcement comes after a difficult 2026 season in which the Hawks finished 0-9, according to MaxPreps. Their final game was a 49-28 playoff loss to Gardner Edgerton on Oct. 29.
A Coaching Career That Extended Beyond Football
Porter took over the Olathe East program in 2020, just weeks before the season began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the unusual circumstances, he guided the Hawks to a 6-2 record in his first season.
The program enjoyed several winning seasons under his leadership, including a 7-3 finish in 2023 and a 6-4 record in 2024.
School officials emphasized that Porter’s contributions went beyond wins and losses.
“The influence of a coach is ultimately measured not only by the success of a program, but by the lives he impacted along the way,” Olathe East Athletic Director Dr. Mike Wolgast said in the release.
Wolgast thanked Porter for his time, energy and commitment to the football program and school community.
Principal Kerry Lane also praised Porter for his service, saying his years at Olathe East had positively affected many students and families.
The school credited Porter with helping numerous players continue their academic and football careers at the college level.
What’s Next for Olathe East Football?
Olathe East said it will immediately begin searching for Porter’s replacement.
The head coaching position will be posted through Olathe Public Schools. Interested applicants can contact Wolgast at mswolgast@olatheschools.org.
The announcement did not provide a reason for Porter’s departure or indicate whether he plans to pursue another coaching opportunity.
For now, the Hawks face the task of finding a new leader as they prepare for the 2027 football season.
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