A Homecoming for a Familiar Face
Chance Ptacek, a longtime assistant coach and former player for the Southeast of Saline Trojans, has been appointed head football coach, bringing a deep-rooted connection to the program and the surrounding community.
Ptacek’s journey in Trojan football began as a four‑year letterwinner at Southeast of Saline High School, where he honed the fundamentals that would later shape his coaching philosophy.
After stints as a student coach at Bethany College and four years on the staff at Salina South, he returned to his alma mater, spending the past sixteen seasons as an assistant on the high school varsity staff.
During that time he helped steer the Trojans through one of the most successful eras in school history, a period that culminated in a 2024 State Championship that remains a highlight for many alumni.
His wife, Pesha Ptacek, teaches at the same school, and together they raise two children who grow up immersed in the same halls and fields that have defined their family’s story.
Colleagues and players alike point to the mentorship of numerous coaches who guided Ptacek, crediting that network for inspiring his entry into the profession and for shaping his approach to leadership.
Looking Ahead
The coming seasons will test how quickly the new head coach can translate his deep familiarity with the program into on‑field success, but the community remains confident that his intimate knowledge of the Trojans’ culture will prove invaluable.