SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield coaching icon is retiring.
Longtime Evangel football head coach Chuck Hepola is stepping down at the end of the season. Hepola has coached his alma mater since 2015.
Hepola is the winningest coach in Evangel history, collecting an overall record of 75-39. Hepola will remain as Evangel’s athletic director, a role he has served since 2025.
“After 35 years of coaching, including the last 11 as Head Football Coach, I can honestly say these have been the best years of my career. I am deeply grateful, thankful, and blessed for every player, coach, family, and opportunity God placed in my path,” Hepola said in a press release. “Solely, stepping into the Athletic Director role allows me to serve Evangel Athletics in a broader way while giving Evangel Football a new voice and a new chapter. I will leave the sideline with a full heart, hoping we made an impact that will last far beyond the scoreboard. That would be the greatest measure of success.”
This season, Hepola has guided Evangel to a 5-3 record. The Valor have three games remaining on the schedule. They will host Tabor College on Saturday, Oct. 31. Hepola will coach the final three games of the regular season.
Hepola is expected to meet with the media on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Chuck Hepola to retire as Evangel football coach after season: 'I am deeply grateful'