Swisher sets new direction as Cougars head coach

Published 10:48 am Tuesday, July 21, 2026

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — There’s a new voice on the practice field for the Highland Cougars football program.

Mason Swisher took over the Highland head coaching job in March after serving as defensive coordinator for the Quincy Blue Devils the previous season.

“As head coach, I can set the example and the direction that we want to win,” said Swisher. “We expect to win because it’s not an intermural and it’s not just participation. Like I told them in practice, what we do in practice translates to the games.”

It’s Swisher’s second stint at Highland after he previously served as the head coach of the Cougars from 2014 through 2016.

Swisher brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Cougars, having previously been an assistant for Ted LePage at both Jefferson City and Blair Oaks. He also was an assistant at Kirksville under Kevin Krietemeyer and Gregg Nesbitt.

Besides that experience, Swisher has also been a collegiate assistant for Culver-Stockton and Quincy University.

“It’s a long resume,” said Swisher. “You know, I’ve been doing this for a long time and I’ve moved a little bit. I’ve coached in college. I’ve coached in Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. My poor wife. I know how to pack and move.”

Dustin Wakefield and Andrew Myers returns to the coaching staff, two coaches from the previous staff who also played under Swisher in his first stint with the team.

Highland has also added Max Hayes to the coaching staff.

“They’re three young coaches and hopefully I can teach them something and get them going in the right direction as a coach,” said Swisher. “Showing them a little bit of what it’s about. They’ve done great and they’re ready to work. They get in there and they coach, which I really like. I like that part because I want them to feel free to coach and instruct to help these kids get better.”

Player reaction
Highland has reacted well to the change this summer, with its players wanting to turn around a program that has struggled in recent years.

Turning the program around starts with the little stuff, as Highland is finding out in practice.

“I feel like we’re more fundamentally sound this year,” said Highland senior Brock Schneider. “We’re going down to the basics this year and then we’re hitting harder. So when we get to Friday night lights, we don’t have any of the mistakes that we made last year.”

The players have also been learning a new offense and defense over the summer.

“It’s definitely getting more comfortable every day because we’re out here working on it,” said Cougars senior quarterback Ashton Schultz.

Coach Hayes has had an impact on the offensive line.

“Coach Hayes is really good,” said Highland senior lineman Collin McReynolds. “He knows his stuff.”

Reversing the tide
The high note for the 2025 Cougars was its 42-7 win over Milan in the district opener, Highland’s first playoff win in three years.

It also snapped a 24-game losing streak that dated to the middle of the 2023 season.

“It was a big relief,” said McReynolds. “It’s showing that the hard work is paying off.”

While Highland avoided a second straight winless season, the team wants to improve upon a 1-10 record and build a foundation for the future.

“We worked so hard all year and kind of got our butts kicked, so it was nice at the end to get that little win,” said Schultz. “It kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth knowing that you could do more and that you want to do more.”

Another big goal is to improve within conference play and put the rest of the Clarence Cannon Conference on notice that Highland isn’t going to be a punching bag.

“I’d love to have a winning record and win a couple of conference games,” said Schneider. “Show people that we’re not light anymore. Now, under Coach Swisher we’re bringing intensity to the football field every night and we’re going to come out and grind.”

The last time Highland finished above .500 was in 2021, when the Cougars went 8-4, which set a program-high for victories.

“I at least want to finish above .500,” said Schultz. “Have a winning record for the first time in a long time. I definitely feel like this team has the capability to do that. We work hard and we play together as a team. I feel like we could definitely do some good this year.”

Season opener against Mark Twain
Highland will begin the 2026 season with a home game against Mark Twain at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28.

Last year’s matchup was one of the closer games for the Cougars, with Mark Twain prevailing for a 30-20 win.

“We want lots more this year,” said McReynolds. “We see that opener against Mark Twain and we want that one. I’m really excited. I’m looking forward to that game.”