KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Kansas City Chiefs named their Week 7 Coach of the Week recipients for the 2026 season.
Carrollton High School Head Coach Kirk Thacker (Missouri) and Bishop Miege High School Head Coach Jon Holmes (Kansas) are the Week 7 selections following strong performances from their respective teams this past week.
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.
Under the reins of Head Coach Kirk Thacker, the Carrollton Trojans now sport a 7-1 record (2-1 district) and are undefeated at home following their most recent win, 54-46, over the Holden Eagles on Friday, Oct. 16.
Their clinch on Friday was the Trojans' first victory over the Eagles since 2020, and their highest scoring game of the season thus far.
In Thacker's first season with Carrollton as head coach, he has proven himself to be a driving force in the team's success. He inherited a program that played for a district title last year, advancing to the MSHSAA Class 2 District 6 championship game, which Carrollton hosted, and went 6-6 on the 2025 season.
Historically an underdog program, Thacker and his Trojans started out their 2026 campaign in a dominant fashion with a 42-0 shutout win over the Fayette Falcons. The shutout-style victories didn't stop there though, as Carrollton traveled to face Lone Jack/Kingsville on Friday, Sept. 11 and left with a 32-0 win, followed by another strong triumph on the road over Knob Noster/Leeton, 46-0, on Friday, Sept. 25.
A head coach since 2005, Thacker ranks among the winningest active coaches in Missouri prep football. Across 21 seasons as a head coach, he has compiled a 140-71 career record while leading his teams to six conference championships, three district titles and two state runner-up finishes.
In addition to his success on the sidelines, Thacker has contributed to the sport through service on the MSHSAA Football Advisory Committee and was recognized four times as KMZU Radio's Coach of the Year (2008-09, 2012, 2020).
Beyond his accomplishments as a coach, Thacker has also worked to make a difference off the field through Dalton's Difference, a nonprofit organization established in honor of his late son that promotes suicide awareness and prevention while encouraging students and communities to recognize the value of every life.
Carrollton is set to take the field next when they travel to face the Lafayette County Huskers on Friday, Oct. 23. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Under Head Coach Jon Holmes, Bishop Miege extended their winning streak to seven as of this past Friday, Oct. 17, when they took down the Blue Valley North Mustangs 45-14. This season has seen the Stags win five contests by 21 points or more and go undefeated through Week 7 for the first time since the team's 13-0 season in 2017, which Bishop Miege capped off with a Class 4A state championship title.
Through seven games in 2026, the Stags have totaled 3,419 offensive yards and 36 touchdowns while averaging 488.4 yards per game, including 1,729 rushing yards and 1,690 passing yards. Defensively, they have tallied 400 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, six fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Bishop Miege sits at the top of the standings with a 7-0 record (6-0 district) and is ranked No. 1 in Kansas Class 4A.
"Our program is honored to be recognized by the Kansas City Chiefs," Holmes said. "This is a direct reflection of the players, coaches, administration, parents and community for being invested in our program. Our players have worked hard since December to put themselves in this position. Thank you to the Kansas City Chiefs for all their support of high school football in Kansas City."
In his 23 years coaching and his 15th season as the head coach of the Bishop Miege Stags, Holmes has compiled seven state championships, including six consecutive titles from 2014-19 and another in 2022. The team also finished as state runner-up in the 2012, 2024, and 2025 seasons.
The Bishop Miege football program is one of the most dominant in Kansas, holding a KSHSAA-record 11 state championships. The Stags made history with their six consecutive titles, tying the record for the longest championship streak in KSHSAA history.
A Bishop Miege alum, Holmes ('02) has been at the helm of the Stags football program since 2012 after spending eight years as an assistant coach. He has also guided the program to five EKL championships during his tenure.
Holmes has previously been awarded Coach of the Week by the Chiefs in Week 8 of the 2015 season.
Bishop Miege prepares to face their in-conference opponent, the Blue Valley Northwest Huskies, Friday, Oct. 23, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
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.
