Veteran Heritage Coach Kolkman to step down
Casey Kolkman is stepping down after four seasons at Heritage High School.
Kolkman, who also served as a physical education instructor at the high school, will assume a student services position at Bluffton High School. He will also be an assistant football coach with the Tigers.
“It is the right time for me and my family. I can step back and be a dad while still being involved in the lives of young people. God has provided an opportunity for me to be available for my eight-year-old son, as well as my aging father and father-in-law,” he said. “I returned to Heritage in 2020, candidly, because the Lord led me there. I’m confident in my assistants, student-athletes, and the community. The football program is in excellent hands.”
Kolkman was 21-18 in those five seasons, including a 9-2 campaign. He was also the head coach at North Side and Bluffton. In 14 total seasons, he compiled a 67-77 record.
As defensive coordinator at Bishop Dwenger, he helped lead the Saints to the 2018 Class 4A State Championship.
Kolkman is a 1991 HHS graduate.
“Regardless of the wins and losses and things like that. The measure of what we achieved is still to be determined. I’ll remind you what the legendary coach Amos Alonzo Stagg said, ‘I won’t know that for 20 years.’ All of us are in this for the kids and impacting their future.”
The 2024 season begins August 23 with the Patriots hosting Bellmont.
