Centralia’s Newsted Embraces Challenge to Rebuild West Platte Football

West Platte named Centralia’s Jim Newsted its head football coach last Friday. Newsted guided the Panthers for three seasons after 18 years as a Centralia assistant.

Newsted explains what attracted him to the West Platte football program.

Newsted also coaches Centralia track and field, and he accepted West Platte’s boys track and field job. The Newton, Kansas native elaborates on his Centralia departure.

Centralia football ended 10-1 with an undefeated regular season and Clarence Cannon Conference championship last year. Newsted assisted Erle Bennett on Centralia’s 2003 state championship team.

Newsted replaces West Platte football coach Paul Thomas, who previously coached Marceline football. West Platte finished a combined 4-27 the last three seasons. Hear Newsted’s full interview below.

Centralia’s Jim Newsted accepts West Platte head football and boys track and field jobs: