The Kearney School District Board of Education approved Dillon Starzl for the 2020-2021 boys basketball head coach position. As a 2010 KSD graduate and a current teacher and coach in the district, Starzl has a long and successful history with the district and basketball program. 

“I’m excited that we had the opportunity to hire someone like Coach Starzl to lead our high school basketball program,” stated Athletic Director for Kearney School District, Dave Schwarzenbach. “Coach Starzl has done a great job for us as a varsity assistant coach, and I look forward to watching him put his energy and passion into our basketball program.”  

Starzl was a part of the 2010 state championship basketball team. During his years as a Kearney High School basketball player, he set many records including most rebounds and blocked shots in a game, season and career. Starzl was a two- time first-team all state selection as well as the Kansas City Star Northland Player of the Year and Metro Sports Athlete of the year. After graduating, Starzl continued his basketball career at Northwest Missouri State University. During his playing time as a Bearcat, Starzl and his teammates won two MIAA Conference Championships. He became the eleventh player in Northwest history to surpass 1000 points and 500 rebounds for his career. 

After college, Starzl accepted his current role teaching mathematics at Kearney High School. Additionally, for the past four years, he has been the junior varsity boys basketball coach and varsity assistant coach. Starzl helped lead the Bulldogs to two District Championships and a third place finish at the state competition in 2017

“I am extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to be Kearney’s new head basketball coach, Starzl stated. “I am excited to start working with my athletes and to start building memories that will last a lifetime.”

Starzl earned his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education from Northwest Missouri State University. He completed his Master of Education in Athletics/Activities Administration in 2018 and is currently working on earning a Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership K-12. 

Starzl and his wife Brittini, who is also a teacher with Kearney School District, have one son, Kayson.

Starzl will start his new role at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. He will replace Kirk Stegeman who resigned from the role to pursue another opportunity.