Hoisington High School has hired a new head football coach.
The Cardinals decided to hire from within, advancing their defensive coordinator Zach Baird to the post.
“He’s been our defensive coordinator for the last three years,” Hoisington Athletic Director Joel Mason said. “We have the benefit that we know the guy, and he knows the kids going in.”
Baird, who graduated from Hoisington and went on the play football one year each at Kansas State (as a gray shirt) and Fort Hays State, was a defensive coordinator under Jason Ingram, whose coaching contract was not renewed after the 2013 season.
Ingram was 14-14 overall in his three years as head coach.
Mason said he hopes that Baird is the right man to take Hoisington’s young group of athletes to the next level.
“He has a good knowledge of the game, and he is passionate for Cardinals football,” Mason said.
The fact that Baird knows his players before he even took the job should help, in Mason’s estimation.
“We won’t have that period of getting to know him,” Mason said. “We’ve all worked with him before. He has a high level of respect from the kids and other coaches. Hopefully he’ll be able to take over this program and take it forward.”