KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Kansas City Chiefs announced their Week 2 Coach of the Week recipients for the 2026 high school football season.
North Kansas City High School Head Coach Dan Joiner (Missouri) and Shawnee Mission North High School Head Coach Danny Long (Kansas) have been selected as the Week 2 honorees. This weekly recognition highlights exceptional Kansas City-area head coaches who excel in team performance and student-athlete development.
Along with the title, both coaches earn a $500 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation to support their teams, an official Chiefs bucket hat, a custom game ball, and a celebratory certificate. By winning this weekly honor, both individuals are officially nominated for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which is voted on at the conclusion of the regular season by the Missouri and Kansas boards of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.
After a tough opening-week loss, Joiner rallied his North Kansas City Hornets football team to back-to-back road victories. The defining moment of their young season came last Friday, Sept. 11, when the team traveled to face the Liberty North Eagles. Under Joiner's guidance, the Hornets executed a flawless game plan to secure a gritty 28-14 win, moving their overall record to 2-1. This feat marked North Kansas City's first win over Liberty North in school history.
"I am blessed to receive this award on behalf of my amazing staff and players," Joiner said. "They are 100% the reason for our victory on Friday night."
Through three games, Joiner's squad has proven to be an explosive force, outscoring their last two opponents 70-35. Their recent victory over the Eagles positions the Hornets perfectly at 1-0 in district play as they prepare to return home to face the Park Hill Trojans this Friday night, Sept. 18.
Now in his second stint at North Kansas City, Joiner serves as both Head Football Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coach after previously leading Grandview High School. A former All-MIAA offensive lineman at Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri), Joiner earned first-team All-MIAA honors, All-Southwest Region recognition and Football Gazette Second-Team All-America honors during the Mules' historic 10-win season in 2002. Joiner was also recognized as a Chiefs "Coach of the Week" in Week 2 of last year.
In Kansas, Shawnee Mission North Head Coach Danny Long has the Bison off to a perfect 2-0 start to the 2026 season.
Shawnee Mission North opened the season with a 24-6 win over the Olathe East Hawks and has since doubled its win total from 2025 with a dominant 47-0 victory over the KC Sumner Academy Sabres on Friday, Sept. 11.
Through just two games, the Bison have outscored their opponents 71-6.
"We are very honored and excited to receive this award and the recognition of our football program at SM North," Long said. "It reflects the efforts of the coaches and players in our program along with the support of our parents, administration, and community members. Thank you to the Kansas City Chiefs for taking the time to support the efforts of high school coaches and football programs."
Prior to his promotion to head coach at Shawnee Mission North High School in December 2024, Long served as the program's defensive coordinator for five seasons. A former collegiate defensive player at Baker University, Long seamlessly transitioned from playing into coaching.
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 Kansas City Chiefs partner with PrepsKC to select Coaches of the Week from Missouri and Kansas each week. For the past 16 years, PrepsKC has been Kansas City's only complete multimedia outlet covering high school offering a dynamic website, weekly magazine and comprehensive weekly radio show. More information about PrepsKC, including scores, schedules and coverage can be found at www.prepskc.com.
