Thomas leaves Jays for head coaching position

Mark Thomas is heading back to the Kansas City area. Thomas, who has spent the last five seasons as a defensive assistant with the Jefferson City Jays, has recently been hired as the new head football coach at Belton High School.

Belton finished 1-9 last year in Class 5 and was 0-6 in the Suburban White Kansas City Standings. The Pirates only win last season was a 25-19 victory over Truman. The Pirates have won seven games in the last three years, after losing 17-7 to Waynesville in the Class 5 championship game in 2007.

Thomas came to Jefferson City when head coach Ted LePage was hired in 2006. Thomas spent four years as the defensive coordinator from 2006-09, before working with the secondary last year.

Thomas has won three state championships in his 24 years of coaching - two at Kearney (2002-03) and one at Boonville (1998).

Thomas was chosen after an eight-week search and interview process which included nearly 60 applicants.