Kevin Wallace, winner of six state football championships, announced Thursday he will retire from coaching after leading St. Xavier one more season in 2025.
Next season will be Wallace’s 40th as a head coach in Kentucky. He has a record of 361-126, ranking fourth in the state in career victories.
Wallace, who will turn 64 on Christmas Day, said he’s planning to move back to his hometown of Bowling Green with his wife, Dana.
“It’s about time to go back,” Wallace said. “I don’t know what I’ll do with my time. I don’t know what will grab me. Nothing’s going to replace the relationship part, the competitive part. All of that will be new to me because this is all I’ve ever known. … I’m at the age now where I kind of want to see what it’s like to go where I want to go on a weekend or not have to take every vacation on spring break or during the dead period.”
Wallace was named St. X’s head coach in 2018 and has a 62-24 record in seven seasons with the Tigers. His 2021 squad went 14-1 and won the program’s first Class 6A state championship since 2009.
“Coach Wallace’s decision brings many mixed emotions,” St. X President Paul Colistra said in a statement to The Courier Journal. “Coach Wallace is one of the most successful head coaches in the history of Kentucky high school football. Our football program takes great pride in its storied legacy of success, and Coach Wallace is a big part of it. Having Coach Wallace retire as a Tiger is special for all of us involved in this program and school. In speaking with Coach Wallace, we are all excited about next season and the future of St. X football.”
The Tigers finished 7-5 last season after losing to Ryle 38-17 in the second round of the playoffs. The 2025 Tigers are expected to return several key players, including quarterback Mason Trimble, wide receiver Marlon Harbin and linebacker Karsten Busch.
“We have to build the middle-of-the-road player into a good high school player,” Wallace said of next season. “That’s going to be the key to our development. We do have some high-level kids, but it’s an 11-man effort every snap. It’s the job of our staff to take those other guys to a place they’re not at right now.”
Wallace started his coaching career at Warren East, his alma mater, as an assistant in 1982 before becoming the head coach in 1984. He posted a 45-61 record in 10 seasons.
He joined the staff at Bowling Green as an assistant in 1994 before becoming the head coach in 1996. In 22 seasons with the Purples, he went 254-41 and won Class 5A state titles in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. His teams were state runners-up three straight seasons from 2005-07.
More high school football:Boyle County’s Montavin Quisenberry, UK signee, named Kentucky Mr. Football
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.

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