'No overnight success': New head coach Jason Filbeck ready to build Topeka High football
TOPEKA — Jason Filbeck stands outside of Topeka High, his new home. If these walls could talk, the rich history of Trojan football could tell stories for a lifetime. Filbeck understands the allure of this program as the new head coach, but he isn’t jumping to conclusions.
“This is exciting, but I haven’t done anything yet,” Filbeck said.
Filbeck was announced as the newest head football coach for Topeka High on Feb. 16. The coach arrives from Augusta, where he ended his 10-year tenure with a 45-51 record. He helped the Orioles to a 7-3 season in 2015, the best under hos watch. Now, he is ready for the new challenge of coaching a Class 6A school.
“Being a coach, you are always looking to improve yourself. Topeka High is a historically strong school and the size of a 6A is a challenge,” Filbeck said. “Having the ability to affect a lot more kids and help impact a town or a school in the ways that I think that I can. I believe a football coach is a very important part of a high school.”
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The Liberty, Missouri native is not afraid of a big job like Topeka High. He played high school football at Liberty High School, a powerhouse in the northland of Kansas City. He also played college ball at NAIA’s Baker University, another storied program. Before becoming the head coach of Augusta, Filbeck was an assistant coach for 10 years with Shawnee Mission East.
Through these experiences, one of Filbeck’s biggest takeaways is knowing how to maximize potential. Filbeck was one of a handful of wide receivers to play for Liberty High School. The Blue Jays played a system that relied solely on the run.
Filbeck was there to block and rarely caught anything. He did anything to simply step onto the field. He relates more to the bottom half of a roster than a talented, highly-recruited athlete. Filbeck just wanted to play.
“I was the smallest kid on the team, but I was willing to block and I would catch my one pass per game,” Filbeck smiled. “I see the value in the kid who is a benchwarmer. I can relate to the kids that are grinding and trying and it’s not easy. I can relate to those kids and they should still play.”
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Topeka High is coming off a 1-7 campaign. The gauntlet of a Class 6A schedule is exhausting, but foundation comes in the summertime, according to Filbeck. He wants to set a culture predicated on hard work and attention to detail, a culture not easy to obtain.
“There is no overnight success and lottery winners,” he said. “Learning how to do things right is the reward. The person that you become through the process is the reward and those Friday night wins will come.”
The head coach is an offensive brain that will work with that side of the ball. He shared some of his philosophies involving getting the ball in his playmakers' hands as much as possible.
For example, freshman Courtney Sanders made important plays on special teams, including a long punt return for a touchdown in the regular season finale against Hays. Running back Tevante Ewing and wide receiver Jayden Norman made athletic plays all season, too.
“We will run some option stuff with a pistol. It gives us the ability to be multiple and get the ball to the perimeter,” Filbeck described. “Run option with the quarterback and the running back. We are going to scheme it up to our best kids and try to get them the ball.”
The style of offense will continually be updated as the fall season approaches. For now, Filbeck is settling into the capital city with his family.
He's excited to go to work each morning, setting the precedent of a first-class culture in a historically elite program.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Meet Jason Filbeck, the new Topeka High football head coach
