A Kehner tradition, dream fulfilled Steven Kehner hired as new head coach, takes over football program as longtime coach, dad resigns after 30 year era...
GLEN ROSE — A 30 year coaching era has come to an end for veteran and seasoned Glen Rose football head coach Mark Kehner, who recently resigned— but steps aside with son Steven Kehner to fulfill the duties as the new head coach of the 3A powerhouse program.
The veteran coach has been a part of a longtime winning tradition at Glen Rose—guiding them to multiple conference titles and conference runner-up—along making a state finals appearance in 2012 and 2013 football seasons. As an assistant coach, Kehner has won a state championship with the Beavers in 2007 under the direction of Billy Elmore. Kehner was defensive coordinator during that state championship season.
(Mark) Kehner feels at peace with his decision and is honored that his son will take over as the head coach of the program in Glen Rose.
Kehner mentioned that this opportunity allows him to spend more time with family and more importantly, see his son coach while cherishing all of the moments with grandkids.
“I feel good to leave Steven with a group of players and coaches that have experience—this helps him make the adjustment and the kids deserve to have someone like Steven,” Kehner said.
Kehner said, “I’m content with my decision and at peace with it—i’m just excited for Steven.”
The Kehner family feels excited about this opportunity for Steven to fulfill a dream.
Steven was a standout football phenom on the gridiron during his glory days as a Beaver. Now having the opportunity to be the head coach at a place where he left a successful legacy is a true blessing.
“I’m just extremely blessed,” Steven said. “This is something I’ve always dream about and for this day to finally come—it’s a blessing to coach here,” Steven said.
Steven brought three years of coaching experience from West Memphis as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator— coaching the running backs and wide receivers. For the previous two years, Steven was the Beavers offensive coordinator under his dad and helped Glen Rose continue their powerhouse tradition of playoff appearances. This past 2022 season, the Beavers completed the year undefeated in league play to capture the conference title, earning the No. 1 seed in the Class 3A state football playoffs and advanced to the quarterfinal round. Last season, the Kehner father and son coaching duo made their postseason debut together with the Beavers advancing to the quarterfinal round on the road— but this year was the first time they coached in the third round at Beaver Stadium.
[Mark] Kehner and son Steven helped guide the Beavers with the assistant coaching staff to a unbeaten 4-3A Conference title—making this past season their first league championship won together as a coaching duo in the Glen Rose football program. The Beavers hadn’t tasted a loss during the non-conference season and had stormed through their way against league opponents in the 3A to remain on a dominant winning trail.
Kehner will remain Athletic Director at Glen Rose but feels excited about being able to see his son on the sidelines to still have a connection in the football program.
“I think it’s unique to be able to hang around and see Steven coach for his first year as the head coach,” Kehner said.
Steven noted that he plans to continue to keep the tradition rolling and aim to maintain a strong culture of success with the student-athletes and the coaching staff. Glen Rose school board voted and approved [Mark] Kehner’s resignation and stay as Athletic Director and hiring son Steven as the new head football coach during Monday’s board meeting.
Steven is a 2011 Glen Rose High School graduate and played four years of collegiate football for the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers, where he graduated in