Kent Van Overschelde resigns as Kernel head football coach after 16 seasons

In a 2016 file photo, Mitchell High School football head coach Kent Van Overschelde, right, leads the team on to the field prior to a game at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell. — In a 2016 file photo, Mitchell High School football head coach Kent Van Overschelde, right, leads the team onto the field prior to a game at Joe Quintal Field in Mitchell.

By Mitchell Republic

February 13, 2023 at 4:45 PM

MITCHELL — Mitchell High School football coach Kent Van Overschelde announced his resignation as the Kernels' head coach on Monday, ending a 16-year tenure as the team's leader.

The school district announced the news in a press release.

“This decision has not been an easy one," Van Overschelde said in a statement. "I submit my resignation with gratitude and appreciation for the support of MHS football and my family over the past 20 years. It is simply my belief that it is time to step back and prioritize faith and my family. It has been my privilege to work alongside fellow coaches that have always shared a passion for the game of football and the Mitchell Kernels. Lastly, I assuredly extend my appreciation and gratitude to the young men and their families for their contributions and dedication to Kernel football. It has been my greatest honor to be the head football coach at Mitchell High School.”

Most notably, Van Overschelde led the Kernels to the school's first state championship in the playoff era in 2016, capping an 11-1 season with a state title in Class 11AA. In 2022, Mitchell was 2-7, missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

Van Overschelde was the longest-tenured Kernel football coach over the last 40-plus years. In 16 seasons, Van Overschelde's teams were 70-92. His tenure included 40 Class 11AA all-state first-team selections and he was the state's football coach of the year in 2017.

Mitchell Head Coach Kent VanOverschelde leads the offense after a kickoff return during a 2018 game against Watertown at Joe Quintal Field.

Van Overschelde, who graduated in 1988 from MHS, grew up just a few blocks from Joe Quintal Field and was a linebacker and fullback for Mitchell in 1986 and 1987, when Mitchell was 11-1 and finished as state runner-up in Class 11AA.

“I want to thank Kent for his service and dedication to our football program for the past 20 years and am grateful for his approach to running a program. His primary focus has always been to develop young men and prepare them for life," Mitchell activities director Aadland said in the announcement. "His program was characterized by respect, integrity and discipline, not surprisingly all traits he personifies himself. The number of lives he has impacted are his greatest accomplishment and legacy and outshine all of his on-field successes."

Aadland said a search for a new coach will begin immediately.

Van Overschelde is set to coach the Mitchell High School softball team in its inaugural season starting this spring.

By Mitchell Republic

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