GENOA — What a difference a few days can make.
Twin River football coach Kalin Koch will remain on the sidelines for at least one more season. Koch and the district reached an agreement last week to keep him as head coach.
The district had previously told Koch that his coaching contract was not going to be renewed for the 2026 football season. He had already informed his players of the district’s decision.
The reason Koch was given was the district did not want anyone as head coach for any sport in back-to-back seasons. He was the head coach of the football team in the fall and then the head coach of the wrestling team in the winter.
The district reversed course after a group of 12 players and a handful of parents attended the Twin River Board of Education meeting last Monday to show support for Koch. Bodie Kingsley told the board that Koch was more than a coach.
“I don’t really have a father figure,” he said. “Coach Koch is one of very few people to fill that role. He keeps me in check, keeps me from doing something stupid or bad. With everything going on, we need someone, we need that leadership, that role model.”
Kade Lund said that Koch gave him the confidence to play at a high level.
“He helped me to become better and be able to play at a varsity level,” Lund said. “And to be able to play with guys that I felt were more talented and better.”
Corey Miller said that he is the parent of an eighth grader in the program. He said that he spoke with the district’s administration, but feels his questions were not answered. He told the board that while some might be in favor of the change, there is more support with Koch.
The board did not address the situation after public comment. But by the end of the week, the new agreement was in place for Koch to coach one more year. A transition plan has also been discussed to ensure the future of the Titan football program.
Koch just finished his fourth season as head football coach and eighth season with the program. During his tenure as head coach, the Titans went 14-18, including a 5-3 record in 2024 when the team finished with the first winning season in program history.