Assistant Bears football coach Will Lansman is the new head coach going into 2025.
Blair High School officially announced the news Monday, filling the position left by Bryan Soukup, who resigned after 25 years in the program — including 11 as head coach — last month.
“The attitudes the kids have are incredible,” Lansman told Enterprise Media Group after the news of his hiring went public. “I have been fortunate to coach these young men in football or basketball and have loved the experience. The energy and attitude they bring is infectious and it is something I want to be apart of for a long time.”
The Harlan, Iowa, native was one of 17 applicants for the Bears coaching job and one of four to interview for the position, according to activities director Tyler Siecke. Lansman, who is currently serving as a boys basketball assistant coach, continues a long line of former BHS assistants to become the head coach dating back to coach Mike Lehl's 1960-1993 tenure. Dennis Sellon (1994-2003) was one of Lehl's assistants, while Darren Harsin (2004-2013) was Sellon's and Soukup (2014-2024) was Harsin's.
Lansman was an all-district linebacker at Harlan High School before spending five seasons playing football at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, 2017-2021. The outside backer was a multiple-time Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association honor roll recipient who played in 41 career games, accumulating 46 total tackles including 26 as a senior starter.
As a coach, Lansman said his main goal is to build a culture based on three characteristics.
“If we can embrace and excel at being disciplined, determined and different, these young men will be in a great spot to reach their potential,” he said.
The coach explained how each point can lead the Bears to success.
“I want to help these young men be disciplined in the classroom, disciplined in the weight room and play disciplined Friday nights,” Lansman explained. “I want people to see a determination in these young men to achieve and reach their full potential in all the opportunities that being a high school student athlete brings.”
Blair football won't be like everyone else in how it operates either.
“Lastly, I want people to look at a member of the Blair football program and think they are different,” the coach said. “From how we treat our peers in the hallway or lunch room to how we train and compete on Fridays, I want Blair football to be known for being different.”
Lansman's family is deeply involved in BHS athletics. His wife, Jess, is the Bears' head volleyball coach, while his brother, Trey, is in his first school year with the football and boys basketball programs as an assistant.
