[00:00:02] **Announcer:**
It’s time to get in the loop with LPS…

[00:00:24] **Announcer:**
Let’s send you to longtime Director of Communications and your host of *In the Loop with LPS*, Dallas Ackerman.

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## **INTRODUCTION**

[00:00:35] **Dallas:**
We are back for another week of *In the Loop with LPS*. It’s the final edition of first semester, and we have our **first-ever state champion coach** joining us. He is **Andy Lierman**, the head coach of the Class 6 State Champion Liberty North Eagles.
Andy — congratulations!

[00:01:07] **Andy Lierman:**
Thank you! I don’t mind Andy or Andrew — Andrew is usually just my mom. This has been a really cool experience, being the first team in Liberty Public Schools to win a football state championship. Surrounded by a great staff and great kids — it's been sweet, and a lot of fun.

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## **COACH LIERMAN’S JOURNEY – FROM LEXINGTON TO LIBERTY**

[00:02:06] **Dallas:**
You’ve coached in several spots, but you started at Liberty High School. Some great teams over the years — this championship really highlights the history of Liberty football.

[00:02:41] **Andy:**
Absolutely. I started at Liberty in 2004, hired by Pat Hansen as a freshman B-team coach, learning from legends like Stan Grove Sr., Nate Thomas, Adam Bowling, Joe Bowman. Later worked with Joel Wells, then Coach Regan.
Those Liberty years shaped me — learning, keeping my mouth shut in meetings, and soaking it all in.

Players from that era — and some now coaching with me — like Alex Light, Peyton Kirk, Colin Freeze — are still in touch. Those seasons were huge in my development.

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## **GROWING UP IN SMALL-TOWN LEXINGTON**

[00:05:09] **Dallas:**
Where did you grow up, and what got you into coaching?

[00:05:40] **Andy:**
Lexington, Missouri — small-town America. Grandparents, family, everyone close. Wentworth Military Academy was part of my upbringing; my dad ran the school.

Football culture was huge. Lexington won state titles nearly every presidential election year. I grew up watching Coach Rector — a Hall of Fame coach — take small-town athletes and make them great.

I still have a 3rd-grade assignment that says:
**“I want to be an NFL player, NBA player, or a coach.”**
God didn’t give me height or speed — so coaching won.

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## **COLLEGE AND EARLY COACHING WORK**

[00:08:48] **Dallas:**
You went to Northwest Missouri State — right?

[00:08:48] **Andy:**
Yes, graduated in 2004. Not good enough athletically to play there, but they’d just won the national title in ’99. After student teaching, I took my first job at **Tarkio High School**, where we practiced by car headlights after daylight savings — true small-town football!

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## **MEETING HIS WIFE, AMBER**

[00:10:24] **Dallas:**
Did you meet Amber at Northwest?

[00:10:24] **Andy:**
No — I met her right here. I taught PE at Sugar Creek Elementary. She student-taught with Christy Bowman and kept showing up at PE with her class. Our eyes met… and the rest is history.

She now teaches math at Liberty North — my best assistant coach at home *and* school.

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## **ON FAMILY AND FOOTBALL BALANCE**

[00:11:12] **Dallas:**
Your kids are big Eagles fans.

[00:11:12] **Andy:**
Oh yeah. My daughter is a freshman at North. My boys are at Warren Hills — one was even a ball boy this year.
I want players to see me as a coach — but also as a dad. Some kids need that male role model.

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## **WORK–LIFE BALANCE IN COACHING**

[00:14:28] **Dallas:**
Coaching takes enormous time — how do you balance that?

[00:14:28] **Andy:**
I insist our coaches be **dads first**.
We Zoom at 9 p.m. after family time.
If a coach’s kid has a game — GO. I’ll cover.

A happy wife → better coach.
A present dad → happier kids.
Better balance → better program culture.

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## **STATE COACH OF THE YEAR**

[00:16:11] **Dallas:**
You were named **Missouri Coach of the Year** — congrats!

[00:16:20] **Andy:**
Huge honor — but it reflects our **assistant coaches** and players. I’m just the manager sometimes — they make me look good.

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## **HANDLING PRESSURE**

[00:17:05] **Dallas:**
Winning builds expectations. How do you handle pressure?

[00:17:05] **Andy:**
Perspective.
Winning is about the **process**.
Do things right. Love kids. Build relationships.
Football is what I **do**, not who I **am**.
I want to be a great **dad** first.

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## **BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED**

[00:19:01] **Dallas:**
Best coaching advice you’ve ever been given?

[00:19:01] **Andy:**
Coach Rector — 35-year legend — told me:
**“I would spend more time with my family.”**
That changed everything for me.
Schemes are great — but relationships matter most.

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## **THE 2023 CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON**

### **When Andy Knew This Team Had It**

[00:20:21]
After a close Week 1 loss to Lee’s Summit North, I told our staff:
**“If we get healthy — we can make a run.”**
The kids kept getting better every week.

The Rockhurst thriller in Week 3 confirmed it.

### **Rockhurst Semifinal – The Turning Point**

[00:23:30]
Beating Rockhurst 28–27 in OT — toughness, conditioning, belief.
That win told me:
**“We’re ready to win it all.”**

### **State Championship vs. CBC**

[00:26:02]
CBC hits a long TD early — 7–0.
No panic. Just a blown coverage. Seniors kept everyone calm.

We reeled off **38 unanswered points**.
When that confetti fell… it was joy for the kids.
They’ll *always* be champions.

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## **THE SENIOR CLASS**

[00:28:48] **Dallas:**
Your seniors were something special.

[00:28:51] **Andy:**
(Emotional) Yes. They believed in me when I became head coach — that mattered.
They let me push them. They trusted the process.

We say:
**“You spell love T-I-M-E.”**
We invest in them as humans — meals at our house, rides, homework help — and they play their hearts out for us.

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## **THE NICK SABAN STORY**

[00:32:33] **Dallas:**
Word is you met a famous coach recently…

[00:32:43] **Andy:**
Nick Saban visited to recruit our kids.
We talked football for 10 minutes.
Talked about his dogs. His wife.
And he was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

And no — I’m not becoming his defensive coordinator. My wife says we’re staying in Liberty!

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## **THE LEGENDARY PLAY-CALL BOARD WITH DALLAS’ FACE**

[00:34:29] **Dallas:**
Last question — why is **my face** on your sideline play board?

[00:34:57] **Andy:**
Because you’re the most recognizable face in Liberty Public Schools!

Sometimes it’s a kickoff call (“Sunshine Kick”).
Sometimes it’s offense.
Each year the meanings change so opponents can’t decode it.
Maybe next year we update your picture — state championship edition.

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## **CLOSING**

[00:38:06] **Dallas:**
We couldn’t be happier for you. Thank you for everything you do for Liberty Public Schools.

[00:38:19] **Andy:**
It’s a dream job. Blessed to be surrounded by great people — coaches, kids, admin, community. Thank you for having me.

[00:39:29] **Announcer:**
Thanks for listening… visit lps53.org for more information.