Steve Ramer Resigns Knox County Head Football Coaching Job

Steve Ramer Resigns Knox County Head Football Coaching Job

By David Sharp

Head varsity football coach Steve Ramer has resigned from the Knox County R-I School District effective at the close of the current school year. Steve Ramer compiled a 19-34 overall record at Knox County.
Coach Ramer came to Knox County in 2005 from Sentral of Fenton, HS in Iowa. Steve Ramer compiled a 54-18 overall record coaching the school’s eight man football team. Ramer replaced current Milan HS head football coach John Dabney as the Eagle head football coach.
Sentral of Fenton won Iowa eight man football state titles in 2002 and 2003.
Knox County had two of their four football playoff appearances during Steve Ramer’s time with the Eagles. Knox County was in the state semi-finals in 1980 under Jeff White. The Eagles most recent district championship before 2009 was a John Dabney led 1995 club.
The Eagles finished with a 7-5 overall record in 2009 and a district football championship. Knox County defeated Princeton, becoming Regional Champions before losing in the Class 1 Sectionals at Marceline.
Knox County finished tied for third place in the Tri-Rivers Conference the past two seasons. Perennial Class 2 playoff teams Brookfield and Clark County have moved to the Clarence Cannon Conference.
Steve Ramer responded to Edina Sentinel interview questions regarding the move. “Nothing against Knox County, but it is closer to home. I can get the same amount of money I am getting now with a lot less duties.”
 “It’s better for my family. The kids understood,” said Steve Ramer of his meeting with the players informing them of the move. “They know there are a lot of tough places to coach, and this is one of them. I think the result of that is why we have such a high turnover rate here. I had a great relationship with the seniors and the underclassmen.”  
Steve Ramer was the Assistant High School Principal at Knox County. Steve and Diana Ramer are moving with KCMS students Teara and Trae Ramer to Sutton, Nebraska. The Sutton Public School District Mustangs are located about two hours from Steve and Diana Ramer’s home town of Fall City, Nebraska.
 “I am going to go back to being a teacher,” said Steve Ramer of his career move. “Nebraska has a much better pay scale (than Missouri. Or at least that school district does. You get more money to do a lot less.”
“It’s closer to home. (Sutton) is a really sports orientated school,” said Ramer. “They just put in a $200 to 300 thousand dollar weight room. They have an all weather track. They really sold me on their district.”
Knox County will graduate 13 football seniors next month. The Eagles went 3-1 in junior varsity play and have had winning Middle School football seasons the last several years.
The Sutton Public School District is about the same size as Knox County. The Mustangs play in Nebraska football Class 1. “It was a good fit for us,” commented Steve Ramer.
 “They haven’t had much success the last five or six years. They have a good football tradition. They made the playoffs 14 of the last 30 years and two state titles. We always say we left Knox County’s football program in a better place than we found it. I think we have.”
   “That first year we finished the season with 17 players. This year we raised our expectations. It was even tougher for us to meet them,” said Steve Ramer. “We had 33 kids out. We won a district championship. We won a playoff game.”
“If I was coaching here, we would consider 5-5 a bad year. At one time that would be considered a good year. We feel like we have made steps.”
“The kids believe in themselves. They feel like they can win. It’s been a great place,” said Steve Ramer of the Knox County community. “It’s been fun. I wish them the best of luck in the future. I hope they keep striving to have their kids reach the highest.”
The Knox County R-I district is expected to come closer to, or actually name a new superintendent this week. Once the new superintendent is in place, the district should move on hiring a football, boy’s basketball, baseball and girls’ softball coach.