Back to all Experts
HOF Coach Profile: Blue Valley's Eric Driskell 8/8Photo Credit: Nick Smith/PrepsKC

Eric Driskell was a part of Blue Valley football since the time of its first-ever State championship in 1991. He was a senior on that team that would be the first of five Tigers’ teams that would win a State title.

After high school Driskell played at Baker University before becoming an assistant coach at Blue Valley in 1996. He was part of GKCFCA Hall of Fame Coach Steve Rampy’s staff that would win three more State titles in 1998, 2003 and 2006. Blue Valley would also advance to the State championship game three other times during that span.

In 2010 Driskell became the head coach at Blue Valley and his first team would win a state title that season. In 2013 the Tigers would win another championship. From 2010-2016 Blue Valley won two State titles and played in three more State title games. Driskell compiled a 71-18 record during that time.

In a short amount of time as a head coach Driskell had earned a wide-ranging respect of other coaches. He began serving on the GKCFCA Board of Directors in 2014.

On February 12, 2017, Driskell suffered a massive ruptured brain aneurysm with irreversible and instant brain damage. He passed away five days later at the age of 43. Driskell was survived by his wife Kari and daughters Rachel and Laurel.

After his passing, the GKCFCA adopted his slogan “Live Like a Champion.” Also the Kansas City Chiefs named its annual High School Coach of the Year Award the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award. Driskell was a three-time winner in 2011, 2014 and 2016.

Driskell’s mission statement was: “I coach to assist athletes in becoming more than they thought they could be physically, mentally and emotionally while instilling in them the synergy of Family and Team so they can live life as Men of Honor.”