The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has announced that eleven high school coaches from Kansas have been named National Coaches Association Sectional Coaches of the Year for the 2020-21 school seasons.
The NFHS is divided into eight geographical sections. Kansas is represented by Section 5 – Midwest which includes (Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). The NFHS has been recognizing coaches through an awards program since 1982.
The sectional committee representatives evaluate the state award recipients from the states in their respective sections and select the best candidates for the sectional award in each sport category. The NFHS Coaches Association Advisory Committee then considers the sectional candidates in each sport, ranks them according to a point system, and determines a national winner for each of the 20 sport categories.
The sectional winners will now be put in consideration for National Coach of the Year, to be announced sometime in January.
We are so proud of Saul and our Red Demon Soccer program. Saul and his staff have consistently demonstrated for our student-athletes the value of hard work, preparation, and character both on and off the field. Coach Hernandez is certainly deserving of this award and would be the first to give credit to his family, coaching staff, and the many outstanding players that have been involved in our soccer program. We are very fortunate to have Saul and his family in Dodge City.”
Jay Gifford, District Athletic Director
It is an honor to be recognized by my peers and other coaches for this prestigious award. This would not be possible without my staff, players, family, administration, and our community. The goal of our program(s) will always be to better young men and young women through soccer and give them an opportunity to be successful in the future while representing the community in a positive manner. As a proud Dodge City native, I strive to do my best to represent the community and to continue improving for our youth in Dodge City.”
Saul Hernandez, DCHS Soccer Coach
The KSHSAA works with the Kansas Coaches Association (KCA) to nominate Kansas coaches. The KCA contacts their potential state award recipients to complete a “coach profile” form that requests information regarding the coach’s record, membership in and affiliation with coaching and other professional organizations, involvement with other school and community activities and programs, and coaching philosophy. To be approved as an NFCA award recipient and considered for sectional and national coach of the year, this profile form must be completed by the coach or designee and then approved by the executive director of the state athletic/activities association.
Coach Saul Hernandez Bio
- NFHS Sectional Coach of the Year (2020, 2016)
- NFHS State Coach of the Year (2020, 2016)
- NHSCA National Coach of the Year (2020)
- United Soccer Coaches Association Large School Regional Coach of the Year (2020)
- United Soccer Coaches Association Large School Kansas Coach of the Year (2020, 2016, 2015)
- Kansas Coaches Association (KCA) Coach of the Year (2020, 2015)
- Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (Boys – 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015)
- Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (Girls – 2017, 2016)
- KHSSCA 6A Coach of the Year (2020, 2016)
- Hutchinson News Regional Coach of the Year (2016, 2015)
- Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year (Alan Lopez – 2020, Miguel Baca – 2016
- Career Record at DCHS: Boys (127-14-1, [2] 6A State Titles); Girls (41-36-9)
NFHS Sectional Coaches of the Year (2020-21)
- Jesse Nelson (Girls Basketball) Olpe HS
- Lewis Wiebe (Boys Cross Country) Berean Academy HS
- Michael Spielman (Girls Cross Country) Baldwin HS
- Joel Applebee (Boys Football) Mill Valley HS
- James Ginter (Boys Golf) Wellington HS
- Kevin Ayers (Boys Football (8-Player)) Little River HS
- Kit Harris (Girls Wrestling) Baldwin HS
- Saul Hernandez (Boys Soccer) Dodge City HS
- Pam Burkett (Girls Spirit) Campus HS
- Andrew Gibbs (Girls Tennis) Shawnee Mission East HS
- Christopher McAfee (Boys Track & Field) Mill Valley HS
