Joplin High School names new football coach

(From Joplin Schools)

Joplin Schools Athletic Director Jeff Starkweather announced today that Curtis Jasper has been named the new head football coach for Joplin High School. Pending final approval by Joplin Schools Board of Education at their next meeting scheduled for Feb. 24, Jasper will join the district this summer. Jasper comes to Joplin with 16 years of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels. He is the current head football coach for Westran High School in Huntsville, Missouri. With a record of 76 wins and 24 losses, he led his team at Westran to four district championships and was the Class 1 state runner up in 2010 and 2014.

"I am excited to name Curtis Jasper as the new head football coach at Joplin High School," said Starkweather. "Curtis is a proven winner. He has turned the football program at Westran High School into a perennial state contender. I am confident he will do the same at Joplin High School. Furthermore, Curtis is a man of high character who will build lifelong relationships with our football players. We welcome Coach Jasper and his family to Joplin and look forward to working with him."

Jasper has earned numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career including being named the 2010/2011 MSHSAA Football Coach of the Year and the Central Missouri Media All District Coach of the Year in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. He has a bachelor's degree in history from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, and a master's degree in education from Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri. During his four years as a student at William Jewell, he was an offensive line starter for their football team.

"My family and I are extremely excited at the opportunity for me to be a teacher and head football coach of Joplin High School and to join the Joplin community," said Coach Jasper. "As in the past, my number one goal at Joplin is to have a positive impact on the lives of students and student athletes in order to help generate quality citizens. This is a proven formula that has produced successful results off the football field as well as on. While we will not be able to join the community until after the current school year ends, we cannot wait to begin this new chapter in our lives. Go Eagles!"

Football coaching experience:


2007-Present: Head football coach, Westran HIgh School, Huntsville, Missouri

2002-2007: Assistant football coach, Moberly High School, Moberly, Missouri

2000-2002: Assistant football coach, special teams coordinator, defensive line coach, offensive line coach, Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri

1999-2000: Assistant football coach, Odessa High School, Odessa, Missouri