KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Kansas City Chiefs announced their Week 6 Coach of the Week recipients for the 2026 season.
Platte County High School Head Coach Derek Yost (Missouri) and Shawnee Mission East High School Head Coach Mark Simoneau (Kansas) are the Week 6 selections for their respective teams' performances in the latest stretch of this year's high school football season.
This weekly spotlight continues the Chiefs mission to recognize outstanding high school football coaches across the region. Each week, one coach from Missouri and one from Kansas are honored for the meaningful impact they have on their players, their programs, and their communities. The Coach of the Week initiative celebrates the individuals working behind the scenes to help shape the next generation of football players and leaders, striving to make an impact beyond on-field performance.
As part of their recognition, both coaches will receive a $1,000 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation, a Chiefs bucket hat, a certificate of recognition and a custom game ball. Both coaches also qualify for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which is selected at the end of the high school regular season by a panel from the Missouri and Kansas Boards of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.
In Yost's first season as head coach, the Platte County Pirates have compiled a 5-2 record (3-1 District) and are riding their most recent league win over the Fort Osage Indians Friday, Oct. 9, 24-3.
The matchup was tightly contested and low-scoring through the first half before Platte County broke away with 24 unanswered points in the second half, winning the game, and ending Fort Osage's three-game winning streak.
The Pirates have won 19 of their last 21 games dating back to 2025 and have averaged nearly 34 points per game through the first seven games of the 2026 season. Through seven games, Platte County has outscored opponents 236-79.
"It's a tremendous honor to be selected," said Yost. "We are incredibly proud of how our kids played and the job that the coaching staff did last Friday. This group continues to work hard and their execution this last week was impressive. Thank you to the Kansas City Chiefs for the recognition."
Platte County travels to Independence, Missouri to take on the Truman Patriots Friday, Oct. 16. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.
Yost began his coaching career at Savannah High School, his alma mater, spending two years on staff before joining the team at Platte County High School in 2016.
Prior to his promotion to head coach, Yost spent 11 seasons on the Pirates coaching staff, serving in roles that included secondary coach, defensive pass game coordinator, special teams coordinator, and most recently defensive assistant coach overseeing the secondary.
During Yost's decade on staff, Platte County enjoyed one of the most successful stretches in program history. The Pirates reached the state semifinals five times, advanced to state championship games in 2019, 2020, 2024 and 2025, and captured back-to-back undefeated Class 5 state championships in 2024 and 2025.
Entering the 2026 season, Platte County owned Missouri's longest active winning streak at 28 games following consecutive 14-0 seasons.
Yost was named Platte County's head coach earlier this year and is in his first season leading the Pirates. He became just the third head coach of the program since 1988.
Over in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, the Lancers add another tally to their win total, improving their record to 3-3 on the season. Under the leadership of Head Coach Mark Simoneau, Shawnee Mission East defeated the Lawrence Free State Firebirds in league play on Friday, Oct. 9.
The Lancers posted six touchdowns throughout their contest with the Firebirds, totaling 399 yards on just 44 offensive plays (251 rushing, 148 passing). The team averaged 6.1 yards per carry on 41 rush attempts and totaled 523 all-purpose yards.
On the other side of the ball, the defense recorded 69 tackles, recurred two fumbles, and added an interception. Special teams converted a perfect 7-for-7 on PATs.
The Lancers travel to Olathe Northwest to play the Ravens on Thursday, October 15.
"It's an honor to be recognized by the Chiefs," said Simoneau. "This award reflects the hard work of our players, coaches, and everyone who supports Lancer football. I'm proud of the commitment our guys show every day to building this program and doing things the right way. It's special to see their effort recognized."
Simoneau was previously honored by the Chiefs as High School Coach of the Week for Week 3 of the 2025 season.
A third-round selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2000 NFL Draft, Simoneau played linebacker for 11 NFL seasons. Following his stint in Atlanta, the Phillipsburg, Kansas, native had stops with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the New Orleans Saints, where he was a Super Bowl XLIV champion.
Simoneau capped his NFL career with the Chiefs, a full circle moment returning back to his roots in Kansas.
A four-year starter at linebacker for the Kansas State Wildcats, Simoneau earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 1996, before culminating his career in 1999 with consensus All-American status, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors, and being the runner-up for the Dick Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top linebacker.
In 2008, Simoneau was inducted into the K-State football Ring of Honor, and in 2012, he became just the second Wildcat ever inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
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.
Uncrustables, the Official PB&J of the Kansas City Chiefs, is the presenting partner of the Chiefs Coach of the Week Program.
