Kickapoo High School football coach Kurt Thompson will hang up his whistle.
Thompson met with members of the Chiefs football team Friday morning to announce his decision to retire from teaching and coaching at the end of the 2016-2017 school year. Springfield Public Schools Athletic Director Randy Stange confirmed Thompson’s pending retirement.
Thompson said the meeting with the football players wasn’t easy, but he believes the Chiefs will eventually process the news and respond well.
“I think some of them are disappointed, some of them are not happy with me. Change is always difficult,” Thompson said.