By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Junction City Blue Jay head football coach Randall Zimmerman will serve as an assistant coach for the West team in the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 27th in Emporia.
Zimmerman will be making his Kansas Shrine Bowl record 9th appearance on the sidelines. Zimmerman has been an assistant coach five times previously (1988, 1995, 2009, 2015, 2021) and the West Head Coach on three previous occasions (1996, 2010, 2016). 2015, 2021-Junction City); West Head Coach (1996, 2010, 2016-Junction City) “I am very honored to be a part of this game this year. I have great respect for Shriners and their families for what they do for the children of the hospital. The Shrine Bowl experience is very humbling, bringing an incredible appreciation for the talents and gifts we have been given.”
Zimmerman currently ranks in the top 10 overall amongst active head coaches in the entire state in coaching wins with 238 career victories. Zimmerman, who wrapped-up his 32nd season as head coach of the Blue Jays this fall, led the JCHS to the Centennial League title in 2025 and a 7-3 overall record.
The Kansas Shrine Bowl announced the coaching staffs for the game. The West team is led by Daniel Myears (Mulvane) and his staff will include in addition to Zimmerman, Erin Beck (Great Bend – 5A), Dawson Elliott (Augusta – 4A), Brent Hoelting (Pratt – 3A), Todd Rice (Garden Plain – 2A), and Brent Schneider (Sterling – 1A).
The East team will be led by Mike Berg (Wellsville) who was announced earlier this summer as the 2026 East Head Coach. The East coaching staff assistants will be Kurt Webster (Shawnee Mission Northwest – 6A), Rod Stallbaumer (Basehor-Linwood – 5A), Bradley Argabright (Labette County – 4A), Greg Slade (Santa Fe Trail – 3A), Andrew Gantenbein (Osage City – 2A), and Derick Hammes (Rossville – 1A).
The 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia at 7 p.m. June 27th. Proceeds from the game benefit Shriner's Children's.
Shriner's Children's, previously Shriners Hospitals for Children, is a healthcare system with hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations across the globe. Shriners Children's is dedicated to improving the lives of children every day by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.