This article appears in the Summer 2025 MUHS alumni magazine

Jon Kahle ’00 is coming home to where his own Hilltopper journey began. The longtime educator and coach has been named head football coach, bringing with him a track record of disciplined preparation, servant-leadership and faith-centered mentorship.

Kahle reflects on the mission that first shaped him as a student-athlete, the traditions he intends to preserve, and the fresh energy he hopes to ignite across campus and the wider Hilltopper community.

What went through your mind when you learned you’d be returning to MUHS as head football coach, and what excites you most about this new chapter?

I love the mission. It shaped me as a student, and I’m excited to help student-athletes become Christ-like men for others on and off the field. The service experiences shaped me as a student, and we will continue to provide these opportunities to grow as a team.

You experienced Hilltopper football as a student-athlete in the late ’90s. How has the school and program evolved since then, and which core traditions do you feel must never change?

The football program’s core values have remained the same: brotherhood, relationships and discipline. However, technology, one-way players, and a heightened offseason training program have become more advanced.

At Brookfield Academy you built a playoff-caliber team almost every season. What key lessons or systems from that journey will you carry into year one at MUHS?

I instilled many of the values and philosophies I learned at MUHS. The majority of our BA coaches were MUHS alums. We were always well prepared, physically and mentally tough, and worked extremely hard in our offseason training and leadership programs.

How do you define “success” for a high-school football team beyond the win-loss record?

Success is determined by the character and leadership displayed in the school community. Beyond high school, I hope to see MUHS alums talk about the lessons learned from their playing days in their future experiences in careers and family life.

Character development is central to the MUHS mission. What specific habits or leadership traits will you emphasize with your players?

We will be very intentional about talking about leadership as a team, specifically servant leadership. A title does not define leadership. Specific leadership training will occur throughout the year. The best teams are always player-led ones.

With your master’s in educational administration and experience teaching history, how does the classroom inform your coaching philosophy?

My administrative and teaching experience is process-based. Each day presents an opportunity to grow as an individual and as a team. Every moment in the classroom and the field is a valuable teaching experience. 

Which mentors from your own playing career have most influenced your style, and how will their guidance show up on Friday nights?

I had great coaches and mentors at MUHS. I was fortunate to have them. Coach Bridich taught me discipline and attention to detail. Coach Wilkinson taught me how to respect the game and the process of winning. Coach Kelly taught me about passion and intensity. Coach Basham was a master at teaching the game of football, humility and character on and off the field. My parents showed me what hard work looks like.

Your brothers are fellow alumni, and your wife Laura teaches at MUHS. How does that family connection shape the culture you hope to build?

Family is everything. We talk about faith a lot in our family. We try our best to stay humble, grounded and respectful of the teachings and traditions at MUHS that have shaped our lives.

What opportunities do you see for alumni, parents and the broader Hilltopper community to support the team in new ways?

I see the opportunity to build relationships with alumni and parents through new events–community masses and relationship-building events. In the community, we will continue to dominate recruitment in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Every little boy in Catholic grade schools will dream of putting ram horns on their helmet one day.

Finish this sentence: “When people talk about MUHS football, I want them to say…”

The Hilltoppers play championship-level football and have the necessary character, faith, leadership and humility to serve them well.