TOPEKA — Music is a great unifier. Everyone enjoys a different tune or genre. When meeting someone for the first time, it's commonplace to ask about their favorite band or musician.
This summer, instead of writing about X’s and O’s, the Capital-Journal contacted all 331 head football coaches in Kansas asking for their favorite all-time musician or band and 160 coaches responded with who jive and groove to the most.
AC/DC was the top vote-getter with 13 entries while hard rock and country genres dominated the list.
Plus, 54% of coaches shared they listen to their favorite artist before taking the field on Friday nights — to get pumped up or calm their nerves. Take a look below at the results sorted by each class of KSHSAA football coaches.
Class 6A
- Blue Valley Northwest, Clint Rider: Eric Church
- Blue Valley West, Josh Koerkenmeier: Luke Combs
- Derby, Brandon Clark: Pearl Jam
- Garden City, Brian Hill: Metallica
- Junction City, Randall Zimmerman: No all-time favorite
- Lawrence Free State, Kevin Stewart: Creed
- Olathe East, Courtney Porter: The Notorious B.I.G.
- Olathe Northwest, Lorne Clark: 2Pac
- Olathe South, Ron Litchfield: ZZ Top
- Olathe West, Jon Wiemers: Chris Stapleton
- Shawnee Mission North, Andy Walter: Kendrick Lamar
- Shawnee Mission Northwest, Bo Black: Kenny Chesney
- Shawnee Mission South, Nick Foster: Queen
- Shawnee Mission West, Craig Lewis: Billy Joel
- Topeka High, Jason Filbeck: Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Washburn Rural, Steve Buhler: Phil Collins
- Wichita Heights, Dominick Dingle: Marvin Sapp or anything Gospel
- Wichita Northwest, Steve Martin: Post Malone
- Wichita Southeast, Corby Milleson: Def Leppard
- Wichita West, Jeremy Moss: Maze and Frankie Beverly
What the coaches are saying :
"It’s good soul music. It takes me back to my childhood, hanging out at family functions running around with my cousins." — Wichita West's Jeremy Moss
"Kendrick Lamar's music is raw, honest, and passionate. I feel like I learn something about the world (and about myself) every time I listen to his music." — Shawnee Mission North's Andy Walter
Class 5A
- Basehor-Linwood, Rod Stallbaumer: Morgan Wallen
- Bishop Carroll, Dusty Trail: Bon Jovi
- Blue Valley Southwest, Anthony Orrick: Poison
- Eisenhower, Darrin Fisher: Otis Redding
- Emporia, Kaden Glinsmann: Jason Boland & The Stragglers
- Kansas City Turner, Shelby Steffen: Luke Combs
- Leavenworth, Sean Sachen: Van Halen
- Mill Valley, Joel Applebee: Pearl Jam
- Newton, Taylor Counts: AC/DC
- Pittsburg, Josh Lattimer: Eminem or Hank Williams Jr.
- Seaman, Jared Swafford: 2Pac
- Shawnee Heights, Jason Swift: Bon Jovi
- Spring Hill, Jason Feeback: Toby Keith
- St. James Academy, Tom Radke: Def Leppard
- Topeka West, Trey Parker: Alex Jean
- Valley Center, Scott L'Ecuyer: Eminem
- Washington, Camron Smith: Kanye West
What the coaches are saying :
"Takes me back to working out in the weight room in middle school and high school because that's all that was played!" — Newton's Taylor Counts
"The song "Lose Yourself" was released while I was still playing college football. I knew my playing career was drawing to a close and I related to the song's theme of capitalizing on limited opportunities. Though my coaching career will last longer than my playing career, I know my time on the sidelines is also limited so the song resonates with me to this day." — Valley Center's Scott L'Ecuyer
Class 4A
- Abilene, Brad Nicks : Jimmy Buffett
- Andover Central, Derek Tuttle: AC/DC
- Arkansas City, Chet Pobolish: Neil Young
- Atchison, Jim Smith: No all-time favorite
- Augusta, Dawson Elliott: Nickelback
- Bishop Miege, Jon Holmes: Bruce Springsteen
- Bonner Springs, Byron Mays: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Buhler, Steve Warner: James Taylor
- Chanute, Clete Frazell: George Strait
- Circle, Logan Clothier: The Eagles
- El Dorado, Dan Adelhardt: John Mellencamp
- Eudora, Drew Steffen: Zac Brown Band
- Field Kindley, Deonta Wade: Tha Joker
- F.L. Schlagle, Cernyn Macon: Michael Jackson
- Independence, Kendall Fiscus: George Strait
- Labette County, Sean Price: Vanilla Ice
- Rose Hill, Landon Wright: No all-time favorite
- Wamego, Weston Moody: Foo Fighters
- Wellington, Jeremiah Meeks: Eric Church
- Winfield, Monty Lewis: Hank Williams Jr.
What the coaches are saying :
"Brings me back to watching varsity blues, my favorite football movie." — Wamego's Weston Moody
"I love 80's rock as well and the kids know that on game day, we are listening to 80's rock all day!" — Abilene's Brad Nicks
Class 3A
- Baldwin, Bob Lisher: AC/DC
- Chaparral, JC Zahradnik: Surfaces
- Cheney, Shelby Wehrman: Rich Mullins
- Clay Center, Marc Henry: U2
- Clearwater, Justin Burke: Journey
- Colby, Ryan Mosier: Metallica
- Blake Burns, Columbus: Limp Bizkit
- Goodland, Jordan Moshier: 3 Doors Down
- Hayden, Bill Arnold: Hank Williams Jr.
- Hesston, Tyson Bauerle: Metallica
- Hiawatha, Wyatt Jiru: No all-time favorite
- Holcomb, Trey Teeter: The Rolling Stones
- Holton, Brooks Barta: No all-time favorite
- Hugoton, Jay Witt: AC/DC
- Marysville, Tony Trimble: AC/DC
- Osawatomie, Eddie Minor: Van Halen
- Parsons, Jeff Schibi: Eric Church
- Perry Lecompton, Mike Paramore: Journey
- Prairie View, Kyle Littrell: Metallica
- Pratt, Brent Hoelting: Cross Canadian Ragweed
- Rock Creek, Shane Sieben: Zac Brown Band
- Scott City, Jim Turner: Crowder
- Smoky Valley, Tim Lambert: John Mellencamp
- Wellsville, Mike Berg: Journey
- Wichita Collegiate, Troy Black: Five Finger Death Punch
What the coaches are saying :
"It always got me excited to play when I was a player. I continue to this day to listen to it on gameday. I imagine a great highlight tape of big hits every time they say, 'Thunder.'" — Marysville's Tony Trimble
"Most talented musician I’ve ever seen." — Hayden's Bill Arnold
"It was my favorite cassette to listen to in high school." — Wellsville's Mike Berg
Class 2A
- Belle Plaine, Michael Fox: 3 Doors Down
- Beloit, Brad Gober: Eric Church
- Bluestem, Ethan Baker: Tyler the Creator
- Central Heights, Sam Oram: Garth Brooks
- Cimarron, Casey Flax: Greta Van Fleet
- Council Grove, Butch Hayes: Prince
- Douglass, Drew Carder: Luke Hupp
- Ellsworth, Josh Homolka: Pearl Jam
- Eureka, Jonah McKee: Nas or Eminem
- Fredonia, Marc Svaty: AC/DC or Phil Collins
- Garden Plain, Todd Rice: AC/DC
- Haven, Drew Thalman: Sawyer Brown
- Hillsboro, Demetrius Cox: The Isley Brothers or Luther Vandross
- Lakin, Chris Bamberger: AC/DC
- Larned, Brady Keith: Alice in Chains
- Minneapolis, Tom Flax: Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
- Norton Community, Lucas Melvin: Brandon Lake
- Osage City, Andrew Gantenbein: No all-time favorite
- Royal Valley, David Boucher: Metallica
- Sabetha, Kaleb Moeller: Logan Mize
- Silver Lake, Logan Pegram: Metallica
- St. Marys, CJ Marple: Eric Church
- West Franklin, Karl Rogers: AC/DC
What the coaches are saying :
"A childhood friend also pursuing his dream. It helps you remember your start and where you want to go." — Douglass' Drew Carder
"I am an equal opportunity listener. I like anything from 90's rap and hip-hop to rock." — Minneapolis' Tom Flax
Class 1A
- Cair Paravel, Doug Bonura: Kings Kaleidoscope
- Inman, Lance Sawyer: Sawyer Brown
- Jayhawk Linn, Dustin Johnson: Prince
- Jefferson County North, Jeff Schneider: No direct favorites
- Marantha Christian Academy, Steve Hugunin: Johnny Cash
- McLouth, Seth Mills: Colter Wall
- Moundridge, Tyler O'Connor: Whiskey Myers
- Oakley, Jeff Hennick: Logan Mize
- Republic County, Jesse Hodgson: Hank Williams Jr.
- Rossville, Derick Hammes: No all-time favorite, Charley Crockett right now
- Smith Center, Mike Rogers: No all-time favorite
- St. Mary's Colgan, Shawn Seematter: Alabama
- Stanton County, Josh Allen: Metallica
- Sterling, Brent Schneider: Goo Goo Dolls
- Trinity Catholic, Jordan Bell: U2
- Troy, Derek Jasper: Def Leppard
- Valley Falls, Wyatt Hofstra: Greta Van Fleet
- Wabaunsee, James Johnston: U2
What the coaches are saying :
"I would be a terrible friend if I didn't mention Howard Mahan. He's a Kansas boy from Fredonia and Kansas Wesleyan, he currently plays all over locally. Check him out!" — Valley Falls' Wyatt Hofstra
"Mr. Cash was a strong Christian man later in life, and I connect with the power in his voice. It’s good music that never goes out of style. " — Marantha Christian Academy's Steve Hugunin
Class 8-man Division I
- Arma-Northeast, Mark Manriquez: Steve Miller Band
- Burden-Central, Tyler Lampert: NOFX
- Canton-Galva, Ted Regehr: Garth Brooks
- Central Plains, J.D. Johnson: Kenny Chesney
- Ell-Saline, Joe Roche: Pearl Jam
- Ellis, Bryant Eichman: Shinedown
- Flint Hills, Chase Casteel: Sevendust
- Goessel, Garrett Hiebert : Wide variety of country music
- Lakeside, Caleb Howland: Five Finger Death Punch
- Rawlins County, Aaron Sramek: Guns N Roses
- Sedan, Mick Holt: Alabama
- Trego Community, Pat Haxton: Rolling Stones
- Udall, David Swanson: Hardy
What the coaches are saying :
"All of his songs are 90s great hits that I listened to growing up that are still popular in today’s era. I’ve attended a few of his concerts and he's the best performer and entertainer that I have ever seen live." — Canton-Galva's Ted Regehr
"Just grew up listening to Kenny and really enjoyed his music throughout High school and College and felt I could relate with many of his songs throughout my life." — Central Plains' J.D. Johnson
Class 8-man Division II
- Argonia/Attica, Luke Greenwood: AC/DC
- Axtell, Eric Detweiler: AC/DC
- Colony-Crest, Nick McAnulty : AC/DC
- Deerfield, Adam Leroux: Zach Bryan
- Frankfort, Nick Anderson: Garth Brooks
- Hartford, Danen Kistner: Eminem
- Fairfield, Kyle Finder: Turnpike Troubadours
- Logan, Mike Jenner: Metallica
- Pretty Prairie, Blake Lee : Logan Mize
- St. John, Scott Krehbiel : Collective Soul
- Wakefield, Chris Freeman: Dean Martin
- Waverly, Nick Fraenza: Pearl Jam
What the coaches are saying :
"I grew up listening to Collective Soul, and one of the first songs that I remember is from one of my oldest brother's high school football highlight tapes in the mid 90's, it was December by Collective Soul." — St. John's Scott Krehbiel
"It's just good pump-up music. We blared it in the locker room when I was in high school, and you still hear it being pumped through the speakers at sporting events today. We played it so much during football and basketball pregame warm-ups that some of the students actually got tired of hearing it. Whoops." — Argonia/Attica's Luke Greenwood
Class 6-man
- Cunningham, Lance McGuire: Crowder
- Ingalls, Doug Dillingham: Skillett
- Marais Des Cygnes Valley, John Bass: AC/DC
- Northern Valley, Marvin Gebhard: Green Day
- Peabody-Burns, Eric Dutton: Metalica
- Weskan, Brett Clow: Judah and the Lion
What the coaches are saying :
"I'm a fan of hard rock and the fact that they are hard rock with the Christian message is really cool to me. They are amazing in concert, I got to experience them live with my wife a few years back. They are proof that you can be really good at something and still spread a positive message." — Ingalls' Doug Dillingham
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Shaking and grooving: Kansas high school football coaches share their favorite musicians
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