Ryan Schartz steps down as Fort Osage football coach to become school’s activities director

In the two seasons before Ryan Schartz took over the Fort Osage football program in 2005, the Indians combined for one victory.

The following season, Schartz won his first game on the job.

He won his last, too.

After coaching the Indians to their first state championship last fall, Schartz has stepped down from the position to take over as the school’s activities director. He will begin the new job in July.

The Indians were 106-28 in his 11 seasons as the football coach, a tenure that included three appearances in the state-championship game. Fort Osage routed Chaminade 63-28 last November to win the Missouri Class 5 state title.

“I think what I’m most proud of — other than the relationships with the student-athletes, of course — is just the change in the climate of the school building,” Schartz said. “The community’s pride in our football program has grown to an all-time high. It’s a special thing we have out here on Friday nights.”

Schartz will be replacing Brandon Hart, who is moving to Grain Valley High School next year.

Under Schartz’s watch, Fort Osage also reached the state championship in 2009 and 2012 but finished runner-up in those seasons.

In last fall’s victory against Chaminade, quarterback Skylar Thompson accounted for seven touchdowns and broke a Show-Me Bowl record with 455 total yards of offense.

“I felt like it was the right time in my career for a new challenge,” Schartz said. “There’s no better place to do it than Fort Osage, who gave me my first opportunity.”

This story was originally published March 24, 2016 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Ryan Schartz steps down as Fort Osage football coach to become school’s activities director."