Brennan Scanlon is forging his own path.
The 2-year Smith-Cotton head coach resigned Tuesday and accepted a job at Oak Park in the North Kansas City School District. Scanlon was 34-17 with two West Central Conference titles during his tenure.
Brennan said he received a call about the job opening just weeks ago.
“It was just a good offer and good opportunity,” Brennan said. “It was a tough decision, but I decided to accept the job.”
He replaces Ryan Nichols, who’s Oak Park Northmen finished 6-19 and lost in the first round of the Class 5, District 16 tournament to Staley, 69-51.
Brennan’s first coaching job was a junior varsity spot at Rock Bridge under his father Jim. His uncle, Mark also coaches at O’Hara and earned his 600th win in 2015.
Since Brennan’s first job at Rock Bridge, he’s made a name for himself at three schools in as many classes: Elsberry for three years, Class 4 Mexico High School for seven years and two years at Class 5 Smith-Cotton.
The Suburban Kansas City – White conference presents formidable competition, including District 16 champions Liberty North, who finished 22-3 and advanced to state quarterfinals last season and his uncle’s former team of 22 years, Raytown.
It’s a challenge Brennan embraces.
“It’s in a suburban conference,” Brennan said. “You play the best teams in Kansas City. That’s something I’ve always wanted to do – coach against the best coaches and the best team.”
As Brennan puts it, he’s moving up Interstate 70 … even if the Kansas City area is relatively foreign.
“I’m not real familiar with (the Kansas City area) to tell you the truth,” Brennan said. “I’m looking forward to catching some Royals or Chiefs games. It’ll be new to me but exciting at the same time.”
Regarding the city Brennan spent the last two years in, he said he was happy.
“This has all happened in the last two weeks,” Brennan said. “Last week was when everything happened. My family had no intentions of going anywhere, we’re happy here in Sedalia. We have a good team coming back next year and we had no intentions of moving. But like I said, I got that phone call to check it out, and they made me a good offer. It’s just a good opportunity for my family. “
Brennan facilitated the in-school suspension room at Smith-Cotton and will work in the Missouri Option Program at Oak Park. Missouri Options is a support program to help students at risk of dropping out or failing to graduate.
The resignation is pending Sedalia 200 board approval June 20.
Smith-Cotton Athletic Director Rob Davis is currently accepting applications for the open position and hopes to begin interviews within the next two weeks.
