KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, Sept. 30, the Kansas City Chiefs announced their Week 4 Kansas High School Flag Football Coach of the Week recipient for the 2026 season.
Lawrence Free State High School Head Coach Adam Barmann is the Week 4 selection for his team's recent performance in their first season of high school Flag Football. This weekly honor spotlights a Kansas Flag Football head coach for being a positive mentor to student-athletes and building their program to be set up for long-term success.
As part of his recognition, Barmann will receive a $1,000 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation, a Chiefs bucket hat, a certificate of recognition, and a custom game ball.
Free State Girls Flag Football has quickly captured statewide attention with Adam Barmann serving as the inaugural Head Girls Flag Football Coach for Lawrence Free State High School.
After launching just last year as a student-driven club team, the Firebirds have built an immediate culture of success, finishing their inaugural club campaign with a 10-2 record and a trip to the club-state semifinals. Following the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) vote to officially sanction girls Flag Football, Barmann has guided the program onto a much larger stage.
The Firebirds currently hold a 3-2 record, powered by an explosive offense that has outscored opponents 166-76 so far this season. After dropping two games to the Shawnee Mission West Vikings, Free State caught fire and is riding a three-game winning streak. During this stretch, the Firebirds put on a strong defensive front with a 25-0 shutout over the De Soto Wildcats, followed by a massive 50-0 shutout against the Olathe North Eagles, and a convincing 39-12 victory over the Olathe South Falcons. The program has exploded to include nearly 40 athletes across varsity and junior varsity rosters.
"Last week, we played a very good Lawrence High (Chesty Lions) team," said Barmann. "They are very well coached and have players on both sides of the ball that make it difficult. We were able to get a hard-fought 22-13 win on our field. We also played Shawnee Mission North on Monday and were able to execute in all three phases of the game, winning 32-0.
"We are on the road next Monday against a very good Mill Valley team. They are the defending State Champions and create multiple issues with their excellent personnel. This will be a great challenge heading into the playoffs.
"To receive an award from the Kansas City Chiefs is fantastic. They really spearheaded the sport of Flag Football last year in both Kansas and Missouri. Without their backing, this might not be a reality. We are grateful to the Chiefs and all their support."
Lawrence Free State's next contest will take place on the road Monday, Oct. 5 against the defending State Champion Mill Valley Jaguars. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
A native of Weston, Mo., Barmann first made his mark in the Lawrence community as a standout quarterback for the Kansas Jayhawks from 2003-06. Known for his resilience and team-first attitude under coach Mark Mangino, he set a KU sophomore record in 2004 with 12 passing touchdowns and earned Academic All-Big 12 honors before graduating with a degree in sports management.
Barmann transitioned into coaching in 2008 when he joined the Free State High School football staff under Bob Lisher, serving as a paraprofessional and assistant coach. For over a decade, his high-energy coaching style helped develop the Firebirds quarterback talent. Now, as Girls Flag Football takes center stage as an officially sanctioned sport, Barmann is making history once again, leading the Free State program from the ground up as its very first head coach.
Now in its 30th year, the High School Coach of the Week program is a joint initiative between the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League. In addition to highlighting head coaches for their team's performance, this award honors individuals who make a difference in the lives of high school student-athletes by preparing them for life beyond football. The High School Flag Football Coach of the Week feature is in its first year in Kansas following KSHSAA sanctioning.
Uncrustables, the Official PB&J of the Kansas City Chiefs, is the presenting partner of the Chiefs Coach of the Week Program.
