KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the Kansas City Chiefs announced their Week 9 Coach of the Week recipients for the 2025 season.
Knob Noster High School Head Coach Michael Franklin (Missouri) and Olathe West High School Head Coach Jon Wiemers (Kansas) are the Chiefs Week 9 selections for their teams' performances in the eighth week of the high school football season. This weekly honor aims to recognize Kansas City-area head coaches for their success on the field and leadership off the field.
As part of their recognition, both coaches will receive a $500 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.
The Knob Noster Panthers finished their season 8-1 after defeating the Holden Eagles 28-14 on Friday, Oct. 24 on the road. All four Knob Noster scores came on the ground as the team rushed for 133 yards on 37 carries. The Panthers have moved on to the 2025 MSHSAA Class 3 Playoffs and will take on the winner of St. Michael the Archangel and University Charter. Knob Noster will host their first playoff game of 2025 on Nov. 7.
"Winning coach of the week is an incredible honor that reflects the hard work, dedication, and unity of our entire football program," Franklin said. "Our players and incredible staff deserve all the recognition for coming together to build something special."
Franklin joined the Panthers ahead of the 2022-23 season and has garnered a 26-14 record. Ahead of his time at Knob Noster, the Sedalia, Mo., native spent nine years coaching at Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia. Franklin played defensive back at Missouri Valley College before graduating in 2010.
The Olathe West Owls knocked off rival Olathe Northwest 38-27 at home on Friday, Oct. 24 to finish the season 7-1, their best regular season finish of the Wiemers era. The Owls were efficient on offense, passing for 227 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 251 yards and two scores. Olathe west held Olathe Northwest to 103 passing yards on 21 attempts. Olathe opens the 2025 KSHSAA Class 6A Playoffs as the No. 1 seed taking on Shawnee Mission North at home tomorrow night.
"Anything that comes from the Kansas City Chiefs organization is awesome," Wiemers said. "They are the standard for what a successful football organization looks like. I am honored. It means a lot to me because it validates the work our players and coaches have done to get to where we are right now."
Wiemers is in his third season coaching the Owls. Previously, he served as the head coach of Arkansas City, where he had two stints (2011-12 and 2018-22). During his seasons with the Bulldogs, he led the team to a district title in 2012, and a runner-up in the 2020 Class 4A State Finals. Wiemers also spent four seasons at Southeastern Missouri University, serving a variety of roles in his tenure, including offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, offensive line coach and assistant head coach.
Now in its 29th 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.
