Republic has hired Ryan Cornelsen as its new head football coach. Cornelsen comes to Republic from Gardner, Kansas, about 30 miles southwest of Kansas City, where he had coached since 2018, compiling a 23-6 record and winning a Kansas regional championship. He previously led programs at La Crosse, Hays, and Hutchinson, Kansas, and he led Hutchinson to a state runner-up finish in 2014. His overall record in 18 seasons is 139-45.
“When I reached out to Mr. Fisher to inquire about the job, I could hear his passion about the job… and I went up there and looked at the facilities, and I could tell it’s important to them, not only football, but the success of Republic and the school district,” Cornelsen said. “We’re very like-minded in our vision of what Republic football could be. I felt very comfortable from the start that here’s an administration that sees things as I do.”
Activities Director Trevyor Fisher said 51 coaches from 14 states applied for the job, but beyond wins and losses, Cornelsen stood out for his ability to enlist others in his plans for a program.
“You dig deeper into why he’s had that success, he has that ability to take control of a room – those personality traits that kids and parents and community respond to,” Fisher said. “He’s genuine in his comments, and he has a plan that he’s very comfortable with, and he knows how to execute that plan to get the best out of his kids and his coaches, and getting that buy-in throughout the community.”
Fisher said Cornelsen has shown an ability to adapt his style to his roster, successfully running the triple-option one year and a pass-dominant shotgun-oriented style in another.
“He sees what kind of talent he has, and what the strengths of our players are, and he adapts that on a year-to-year basis,” Fisher said.
Cornelsen will also step into a new position, Assistant Activities Director, taking on some administrative duties in addition to coaching and working in the weight room with athletes.
Although Cornelsen has spent his entire career in Kansas, he doesn’t consider the move to Missouri an obstacle to success.
“I try to look at a community and a school for what it is, and not necessarily what state it’s in,” he said. “I feel like Republic is a great opportunity, not only as a coach but also for my family. I’ve got three kids who’ll be growing up in that school district. It’s more about the school and the school system and what’s best for my family.”