It’s a coming home of sorts for John Schaefer. The former Hillcrest state champ coach is the new Logan-Rogersville boy’s head coach, pending board approval Thursday. Schaefer replaces Mitch McHenry who took the same position at Kickapoo earlier this month.
“I’m excited to get home and get back to living that life,” said Schaefer, a Hartville native who is getting much closer to his family, including his mother currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Also a candidate for the recently filled Kickapoo and Willard positions, Schaefer feels like Rogersville was the place for him.
“Rogersville’s a quality school, good kids, good tradition and solid support group for their athletics,” said Schaefer. “They support everything. It’s not a competition between different sports.”
Schaefer (365-164 career record) spent the past three years in the Kansas City area as Belton’s head coach and athletic director; a rare combination for large-class schools in this era.
Prior to that, he spent seven years at Hillcrest, leading the Hornets and players like Dorial Green-Beckham and Trey Starks to a 2010 Class 5 state championship, Class 4 runner-up finish in 2011, three Ozark Conference titles and four district championships.
The former Missouri Southern baseball recruit graduated from Missouri State. He started his coaching career by leading the Dadeville boys and girls for four years. Following a one year stint as Glendale assistant he was Mountain Grove’s head coach for one year.
Schaefer’s tenure at Belton saw the Pirates improve athletically across the board. He helped pass a bond issue to create a new gym, pool, performing arts center and coaches offices.
He says he’ll miss being part of the design process and it was difficult to leave his players but believes Rogersville is a destination positon for him.
“Rogersville’s a place I could retire. It’s a little early, but it’s a place I could see myself for a long time.”
The Wildcats return several key players from last year’s 15-12 team that fell to Hillcrest in the district semifinals.
