The Kansas Shrine Bowl has announced the selection of Mike Berg, Wellsville High School, and Daniel Myears, Mulvane High School, to serve as the head coaches for the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The head coaches are selected from the group of assistant coaches from the previous year’s game after a vote from the previous year’s coaching staff, camp directors and support staff. The 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.
The East team will be led by Wellsville High School Head Coach Mike Berg, who is entering his 7th year as the Head Coach at Wellsville and his 26th season overall as a head coach. Berg spent 19 years as the Head Coach at Baldwin High School from 1998-2016. In his first six seasons at Wellsville, Berg has compiled a record of 47-14, including a state semifinals appearance in 2024. Berg’s overall record across his 25 seasons at Wellsville and Baldwin is 164-96. Berg began his coaching career at his alma mater Baker University, following his playing days for the Wildcats, where he earned All-American honors his senior season. Berg was inducted into the Baker University Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association (GKCFCA) Hall of Fame in 2024. Berg also served as the President of the GKCFCA from 2013-2014. Mike and his wife, Amy, have three adult children and five grandchildren. His son, Chad Berg, played in the 2014 Kansas Shrine Bowl for the East team representing Baldwin High School.
"It's a privilege to be a part of the Kansas Shrine Bowl and spread awareness for the Shriners’ mission of providing pediatric care to children,” said Coach Berg. “The help the Shriners give directly to the children is life changing. I am honored to be selected to work with some of the best coaches and student athletes in the state of Kansas."
Leading the West team will be Mulvane High School Head Coach Daniel Myears. Coach Myears is entering his 8th season as the Head Coach at Mulvane, and his 23rd season overall on the coaching staff at Mulvane. Myears has a 31-35 overall record at Mulvane following a 7-3 record during the 2024 season. Coach Myears began his coaching career as an offensive assistant at Friends University before joining the staff at his High School alma mater under longtime Mulvane Head Coach Dave Fennewald, where Myears served as the offensive coordinator from 2011-2017. Daniel and his wife, Chele, have two adult children.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be named the Head Coach of the West squad for the 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl in June 2026,” said Coach Myears. “My experience as an assistant coach in 2025 was incredible, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to once again give back to the Shriners Organization and be a part of this meaningful event.”
The West team won the 2025 Kansas Shrine Bowl, 26-8, to extend their all-time series advantage to 32-18-2. The 2026 game returns to Emporia, where the East has won the last two games played at Welch Stadium and four of the six all-time games played on the campus of Emporia State University. The 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
“We are grateful to have these two outstanding coaches accept our invitation to lead our 2026 teams,” said Kansas Shrine Bowl Executive Director, Brice Kesler. “It takes a lot of special people to make this event happen and the time and talent that our coaches give towards our game and our cause cannot be overstated.”