By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net
Ten years after earning consensus All-American honors and being recognized as the best tight end in the country playing football at Mizzou Chase Coffman is enjoying life back in his hometown and living near family and friends. The success Coffman enjoyed in 2009 seems long ago as life in 2019 moves at a rapid pace.
The 32-year-old Coffman is now expecting his third child with his wife Stacy. In addition to that Coffman is now working for BMG Advisors a company based in Kansas City with an office located on the Country Club Plaza. This is an adjustment for the seven-year NFL veteran who spent the last two years coaching football and basketball at his alma mater, Ray-Pec High School. Now with his new career and while in training Chase has plans to just volunteer as needed for now. Spending time with his young family and adjusting to a new work schedule takes up his time now.
Changes has also been common at Coffman’s college alma mater, the University of Missouri. Mizzou has changed conferences from the Big 12 to the Southeastern Conference and the school has upgraded its football stadium. Coffman admits “He doesn’t get back that much, would like to get back more but right now tough to go with a young family.” Chase is quick to admit he has plans to attend a pair of games in the upcoming 2019 season. Coffman feels current Tigers football coach Barry Odom is “Starting a great thing down there.” Coach Odom is disciplined, wants to get back to winning… Chase sees him continuing down that path. Coach Odom “Is growing young men into adults there.”
Coffman was recently a guest at Lee’s Summit Downtown Days Sports Booth where he happily visited with Tigers and Panthers fans of all ages. Chase felt the festival “Was a great event, honored to be asked to be at the Sports Booth and hang out with my buddy and former teammate Colin Brown. Whether appearing at a Sports Booth or not Chase is used to being recognized when out in public. Coffman feels, “I still know a lot of people in the area, my family is still here and my wife’s family and friends are here also.”
When talking to players today Coffman tells them, “Hard work, don’t quit, have perseverance and realize things aren’t going to go your way but keep giving it a shot.” It’s clear Coffman listened to his high school football coach at Ray-Pec, Tom Kruse. Chase says “Coach Kruse is a big part of my life, my success in sports.” Chase adds “Kruse does a great job coaching including guys and making them feel a part of the team, not everyone gets to go to the next level.”
Like many football fans in the Kansas City metro area Coffman has opinions on the Kansas City Chiefs. Coffman admits, “I never had a chance to play for the Chiefs, but grew up a Chiefs fan.” Coffman says “their success is exciting for the city and root for them to do well.” Chase finds Chiefs QB Pat Mahomes is a solid quarterback and a smart confident leader.
A lot can happen in ten years and former Ray Pec HS standout and Mizzou All-American Chase Coffman is living proof of that.
