McKenzie Simons (left) and Michael Franklin were hired Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 by the Sedalia School District 200 to varsity coaching positions. Simons will lead the volleyball team, while Franklin returns to the football program he played for while attending Smith-Cotton. (Photos courtesy of Sedalia School District 200)

The Smith-Cotton Tigers are turning to familiar faces to lead two of their varsity programs next fall.

After the Monday, Jan. 26 regular meeting of their board of education, the Sedalia School District 200 announced the hiring of McKenzie Simons as their new head volleyball coach and Michael Franklin as head football coach. Supt. Dr Todd Fraley says Simons has coached the junior high team the past two seasons.

Smith-Cotton volleyball was 10-19-3 last season, including an 0-7 mark in CMAC play. As for football, Fraley says the Tigers are bringing Franklin home to his alma mater, after he coached Knob Noster to a share of the MRVC East title this past season.

Smith-Cotton went 6-5 last season, going 3-4 in conference play while claiming the Silver Tiger off Warrensburg for the first time since 2017.

Both Franklin and Simons were hired in executive session Monday following a nearly three-hour meeting that included updated renderings of the district’s proposals to add a weight room, batting cages, and additional fine arts space to the back of Smith-Cotton High School.

Also Monday night, the board also formally accepted 15 donations made by businesses and community groups, and approved moving the start time for their meetings to 6 p.m. beginning with their next meeting, set for Feb. 23.