Kevin Stein Hangs Up The Head Coaching Whistle

Photo Credit: Northwest High School

(Grand Island, NE) - After 16 years of being the Northwest head football coach, Kevin Stein is hanging up his head coach whistle. Stein informed players last week before the Vikings played their playoff football game against Waverly. Northwest fell 35-13 to end their season 4-6. 

Stein has been involved in coaching duties for over 40 years. Coming from Gordon Rushville, Coach Stein took over the Northwest football team in 2010. During his tenure, the Vikings got their first playoff football win since 1985 in the 2017 season, defeating Columbus 48-14.

The Vikings would make the state quarterfinals two other times outside of the 17-season. In 2019, Northwest would defeat Lexington 34-3 and fall to Roncalli 41-17. The 2019 season was the best record the Vikings would have under Stein, going 9-2. The Vikings' only loss in the regular season was at home vs Scottsbluff, 18-13. One of the more memorable games was in 2020 as Northwest went on the road to defeat Skutt Catholic in the first round, 27-20. The Vikings would fall in the quarters to Hastings, 45-42. 

Going back to 2015, the Vikings have made the playoffs 11 straight times under Steins' leadership. Stein now looks forward to watching his son Joe, who plays football at Northern Illinois, and enjoying time with family, along with being a grandpa. 

Below is our final talk with Coach Stein after the loss at Waverly on Friday, October 31st.