The Kankakee Valley High School Athletics Department announces the retirement of Head Varsity Football Coach Kirk Kennedy, concluding a 31-season career as one of Indiana’s most accomplished high school football coaches.
Coach Kennedy led the Kougar football program for four seasons, finishing with a 16–27 record at Kankakee Valley. Overall, he compiled 208 career victories with an overall record of 208–149, placing him among the top all-time winningest coaches in Indiana high school football history.
During his career at Lowell, Bloomington South, North Judson, Franklin County, and Kankakee Valley, Kennedy’s teams consistently competed at the highest level.
His accomplishments include a Class 4A State Championship in 2005, along with multiple sectional, regional, semi-state, and conference titles.
Career Highlights:
● 4A State Championship (2005)
● Semi-State Championships (2005, 2007, 2009)
● 6 Regional Championships
● 10 Sectional Championships
● 9 Conference Championships
● 10× Conference Coach of the Year
● 10× IFCA Region 1 Class 4A Coach of the Year
● 5× Post-Tribune Coach of the Year
● 3× NWI Times Coach of the Year
● IFCA North All-State Coach (1995, 2004)
Beyond the wins, Coach Kennedy is respected for his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field. Coach Kennedy said, “I am both blessed and privileged to have had the opportunity to work with so many outstanding administrators, assistant coaches, student-athletes, and parents during my coaching career.”
The Kankakee Valley community thanks Coach Kennedy for his service to the Kougar football program and congratulates him on an outstanding career, wishing him the very best in retirement.
