Former Grand Island assistant tabbed as new Sidney football coach

Chris Koozer, an assistant coach at Grand Island Senior High School for 12 of the past 13 years, has been named to succeed Todd Ekart as Sidney High School's head football coach, the Sun-Telegraph learned this morning.

Koozer, 35, will make his move to Sidney next summer with his wife, Amy, and three sons before taking on his new responsibilities.

He'll finish out the school year in Grand Island, where he is also a hurdlers coach for the track team. His responsibilities with the Islanders' football team were special teams, running backs and defensive backs.

Besides assuming the reigns of the Red Raiders' football program, Koozer will also teach physical education and strength and conditioning.

"Chris has been coaching for quite a while and comes highly recommended, especially by Grand Island head coach Jeff Tomlin,"said Sidney High School principal Chris Arent.

Koozer interviewed with the administration team in Sidney last Tuesday and was tendered an offer the following day – Christmas Eve. The administration team – including Paul Newland, Brandon Ross, Arent and activities director and assistant principal Mike Brockhaus – made their decision over the holiday break with the approval of Sidney School Superintendant Jay Ehler.

"Everybody was telling me what a great Christmas present it was and we all agreed," said Koozer in a phone interview on Monday morning. "We're all really excited to get started. It's a great opportunity and we look forward to the challenge."

Before his recent seven-year stint at Grand Island, Koozer spent a year as the head coach at Bridgeport. Prior to that, he spent his first five years as an assistant with the Islanders. He returned eastward after being unable to sell his house in Grand Island.

Amy will also be teaching in the Sidney school system at one of the elementary schools. The Koozer's three sons are 10-year old Mitchell, Jay (8) and Brayden (4).

The Grand Island competes in Nebraska's Class A and finished the 2014 season at 8-2. For the past two years, the Islanders reached the Class A semifinals before being eliminated by eventual state champion Omaha North.

"We had a number of priorities we were looking for in a coach," Arent said. "First, we wanted someone who would be a good teacher. Then, we wanted to make sure we had someone who knew how to treat the kids. It was very important to us to find a coach who would give the kids the respect they deserve. We found that in Chris."

Koozer has similar thoughts on what he hopes to bring to Sidney.

"I want to try and continue the success that Coach Ekart brought to the program," Koozer said. "It will be a disciplined program. But I want to make sure the kids get more than just football. I hope from our program we can help make them all better people."

Both Ekart and Koozer attended Concordia (Neb.) University, where they played football together. As a native of Hemingford, Koozer said he has kept up with the scores and goings on of panhandle football ever since he left.

"Todd was a senior when I was a freshman so I know what he can bring to a football program," Koozer said. "I know his is a tough act to follow, but we're excited by the opportunity."