By John Mesh
Parker Bruce will be named as the next head football coach at Nickerson High School.
Eagle Radio’s Sean Boston broke the story on the Hutchinson Post website on Wednesday.
The Nickerson USD 309 Board of Education will approve Bruce’s hiring at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Bruce currently serves as the head boys basketball coach for the Panthers.
“I always knew growing up that I wanted to be around sports and help mentor young athletes through the lessons of sports and team,” said Bruce on his Facebook and X pages and the Panther Athletics and Activities Facebook and X pages. “Simply put, that person is called, a coach.
“I got the opportunity to begin my coaching career three years ago as a 22-year-old head basketball coach, defensive coordinator and track coach at Nickerson High School. I was lucky enough to have these opportunities at a young age in order to learn and develop through them to prepare me for my next opportunity. Now at 25, I have grown as a coach from these different experiences, lessons, and challenges, and they have helped put me in the position I am in today.
“With all that being said, I would like to proudly announce that I have officially been named the head football coach at Nickerson High School! I look forward to the progress, the lessons, and the experiences that lie in front of this group and program.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank our admin team and board members for allowing me these opportunities over the years. I would also like to thank Alex Nuss and Taylor Bauman for everything they’ve done for me as a young coach and teacher in the last few years. I would like to thank my own personal support group, because as any coach would tell you there are many lonely and sleepless nights.
“Also, would like to thank my family, especially my mother Mindy. Most importantly, I want to thank the young men and women I’ve had the pleasure of working with the last few years. Let us continue to push this program in the right direction, and continue to support our schools, our teams, and our communities!”
Bruce takes over for Taylor Bauman, who resigned following the season. The Panthers went 1-8 during the 2024 season with its lone win coming against Lyons.
Bauman led the Panthers for three seasons, going 3-24, each season finishing with a 1-8 record.
The last time Nickerson has won more than one game came in the 2019 season, a 4-5 mark. The last Panther football team with a winning record came in 2017. Nickerson finished 7-3 under current Hutchinson High School head coach Mike Vernon.
Bruce, 25, graduated from Andale High School in 2018. He played football at Butler Community College and Kansas State University.