The Midway boys’ soccer team lost beloved Coach Patrick Posey in early April due to glioblastoma brain cancer. In his void, Midway Athletic Director Brad Shelton was committed to bringing in the very best coach Midway could attract to build upon the legacy that both Coach Tim O'Leary and the late Patrick Posey worked so tirelessly to establish. Thus, Kris Kahler, Waco High’s highly accomplished coach, will be presented to the Midway School Board on May 17 as the selected candidate for head coach.
“We really needed to bring in the right person to lead the soccer program,” said Shelton. “I've witnessed the incredible job Coach Kahler has done at Waco High School and have been consistently impressed with the trajectory of their program. He has tremendous rapport with his players, a high level of discipline, and is as competitive of a person as I have met. I am proud to recommend Coach Kahler as the third head coach in the 35 years of the Midway Soccer program."
Kahler, a native of Waco, has been around the game of soccer for over 30 years as a player, referee and coach. He is a high school graduate of A.J. Moore Academy and attended McLennan Community College. After two years at MCC, Coach Kahler graduated from Baylor University in 2005. He earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. Upon graduation, he coached boys and girls soccer at Lake Air Middle School, then the freshmen boys’ team at Waco High School. And after one year with the freshmen, he was promoted to head coach of the boys’ soccer program in 2007. Kahler led the Lions to an overall record of 206-44-17 (80.3 winning percentage), with 48 Academic All-State recipients and 26 Waco Tribune-Herald Soccer Super Centex representatives. He led his team to UIL state playoffs every year, with 2017 being his most successful season ending as Regional Finalists. He is a three-time Waco Tribune-Herald Super Centex Boys Soccer Coach of the Year (2011, 2015, 2017) and a two-time Texas High School All-Star Coach (2011 and 1014).
Kahler prides himself on discipline, hard work, self-motivation and good grades and solid academics. When Coach Kahler is not around the game of soccer he enjoys fly fishing, outdoors, exploring local waterways, and spending time with friends and family. He is married to Marilee Kahler, a real estate agent at RE/MAX in Waco. Together they have two children – Melodie Rae, age two, and Kameron Jackson, six months old.
