KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the Kansas City Chiefs announced their Week 3 Coach of the Week recipients for the 2025 season.
Winnetonka High School Head Coach Michael Cobbins (Missouri) and Shawnee Mission East High School Head Coach Mark Simoneau (Kansas) are the Week 3 selections for their team's performances in the third 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.
Cobbins has Winnetonka off to a 2-1 start with a 46-0 shutout win over Cameron on Sept. 12 on the road. On the heels of their only loss of the season in week 1 to the Central Indians, the Griffins outscored their next two opponents 85-0, leading to Cobbins receiving the Coach of the Week nod in Missouri.
"I'm honored and grateful to have been named Coach of the Week by the Chiefs," Cobbins said. "This award isn't just mine. It reflects the effort, passion, and dedication of the entire team, my coaching staff, the players, and everyone behind the scenes. Thank you for believing in us and celebrating our work. This is for our students, community, and Tonka Nation!"
Cobbins is in his first season leading Winnetonka and was a standout defensive lineman at Missouri Western State. Ahead of his graduation in 2006, he was a three-time All-MIAA Conference first team recipient and was named a Division II All-Americaa honorable mention in 2005 and 2006. Cobbins was also a leader on the defensive front on Missouri Western's first Division II playoff team in 2006. He currently ranks second all-time in tackles-for-loss (50), fifth in sacks (20.5) and seventh in total tackles (240).
Simoneau's Lancers are off to a 2-0 with a decisive 42-21 win over Seaman on Sept. 12 leading to his nomination in Kansas. The Shawnee Mission East offense collected 565 yards of total offense, including 412 on the ground. The Lancers defense held the Vikings to just 271 yards of total offense. In his second year at the helm, he led Shawnee Mission East to its first 2-0 start since 2017, where the Lancers went 9-2, falling in the quarterfinals of the 2017 KSHSAA Class 6A Playoffs to eventual state champion Blue Valley North.
"This honor reflects the hard work of our players, coaches, and community," Simoneau said. "It's a testament to what we're working to build together at Shawnee Mission East."
Simoneau was a 2000 NFL Draft third-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons and played for 11 years at the linebacker position.
Following his time in Atlanta, the Phillipsburg, Kansas, native had stops with the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, where he was a Super Bowl XLIV champion, before finishing his career with the Chiefs.
In four years as a Kansas State Wildcat, he was a 1999 Consensus All-America, 1999 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, 1996 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and a three-time All-Big 12 nominee. He was named to both the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Kansas State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
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.
