KNHS Football Coach

Knob Noster Names New Football Coach
Posted on 01/29/2021
Coach Jonathan Schoonover

Jonathan Schoonover is the new head football coach at Knob Noster High School.

“We are ecstatic with the recent addition of Coach Schoonover to our team,” Knob Noster High School Activities Director Adam Easterwood said. “His core values and beliefs closely align with where we are as a district. I am excited to get him on the ground, working with our young athletes.”

Along with head football coach, Schoonover will also be in charge of the weights and conditioning programs in the high school’s PE and Athletics Department.

Schoonover joins Knob Noster after spending the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Warrensburg High School.

“I have enjoyed the athletes that I have been able to coach and the staff I have coached alongside, but we are ready for this next chapter,” Schoonover said.

Before his time there, Schoonover coached high school football in Arkansas, Neosho, North Andrew and Harrisonville.

During his time at North Andrew, Schoonover took his team to the state championship five times in a row and was 62-2 in those five seasons.

His team’s only two losses came from two of the five championship games.

"We are incredibly pleased to announce the selection of Coach Johnathan Schoonover as the newest member of the Knob Noster Public Schools Team,” Knob Noster Superintendent Dr. Jerrod Wheeler said. “Coach Schoonover not only brings an impressive football resume, including multiple state championships, but he also brings extensive and current knowledge in tailoring strength and conditioning programs to meet the diverse goals of all student-athletes.  Most importantly, he is committed to developing wholesome character and citizenship qualities in our students, which is at the heart of the Knob Noster Public Schools mission. We are excited to see all that Coach Schoonover will bring to our students and community."

Also in those five years at North Andrew, Schoonover was in charge of the school’s strength and conditioning program which produced a number of state recognitions for athletes across all the school’s sports.

“Watching young individuals transform into successful athletes and quality citizens is what I have really enjoyed the most,” Schoonover said.

A Mound City native, Schoonover attended college at Missouri Western where he played football and earned All-MIAA honors.

He continued his football playing career in the arena football league, earning all-arena league honors during his time in the league.

When his football-playing career ended, Schoonover then went on to be a sports performance trainer for some of the most elite athletes in the game and returned home to coach at his alma mater of Missouri Western.

He said he is excited for this new chapter with the Panthers.

“I am excited to work for an administration who will support their teachers and coaches and care about the well-being of all their students,” Schoonover said.

He said he also appreciates the pride the community and administration takes in their student-athletes.

“That is a plus for me and my family,” Schoonover said.

Schoonover said he is ready for fall to be here.

“I am extremely excited to help the student body of Knob Noster,” he said. “I love to help individuals reach goals they never believed they could accomplish.”

The Schoonover family is not new to Knob Noster as his wife Lindsey is a Knob Noster graduate herself.

Jonathan and Lindsey have four girls.

“My family and I are extremely excited to start another chapter in our lives,” Schoonover said. “After meeting the administration and future colleagues of the Knob Noster School District, I cannot wait to hit the ground running and share my passion for the youth, with the school district and the community of Knob Noster. I am proud to be affiliated with a school district that ranks in the top 3% in the state of Missouri in education.”

Schoonover said he is excited for what is in store for the Knob Noster football program and wants students to play as many sports as possible and gain as much experience as they can during their time in high school.

“I am a believer in multi-sport athletes,” Schoonover said.