Blue Valley North Football Coaching Staff
Drew Hudgins
Head Coach
T.J. O’Neill – Offensive Coordinator
Coach O’Neill begins his first season with the Mustang Football program, serving as the offensive coordinator. Prior to coming to North, Coach O’Neill was the head coach at Olathe West High School, the first in the program’s history, starting in 2017. He has also previously coached at Mill Valley High School, where he was both an offensive and defensive coordinator and helped MV win their first two state championships. Coach O’Neill has also previously coached at Gardner-Edgerton, Lindenwood University and Ottaway University.
Coach O’Neill is a graduate of Ottawa University, where he also played quarterback as a member of their football team. He also has a master’s degree from Emporia State University. Coach O’Neill will be teaching PE at Blue Valley North.
Coach O’Neill and his wife Emily have two children, Annie (7) and Rhett (4).
Ian Nichols – Wide Receivers
Coach Nichols enters his first season with the Mustang Football program, coaching wide receivers. Prior to coming to BVN, Coach Nichols spent 9 seasons coaching at Mill Valley.
Coach Nichols earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and his master’s degree from Emporia State University. Coach Nichols teaches Social Studies at BVN.
Coach Nichols is married to his wife Jesse.
Trent Hedlund – Quarterbacks
Coach Hedlund is entering his eighth season with the Mustang Football program, coaching quarterbacks. In his time at BVN, Coach Hedlund has helped the Mustangs win a state title and make 2 more state title game appearances.
Coach Hedlund is graduate of Mid-America Nazarene University, where he was a three year starter at quarterback on their football team and a starting pitcher for four seasons on their baseball team. Coach Hedlund has a master’s degree in athletics administration from Williams Woods College. Coach Hedlund is a math teacher at BVN, and also serves as the head boy’s golf coach.
Coach Hedlund and his girlfriend Katie has a black lab named Bailey.
Brandon Pierce – Running Backs/Head Freshman Coach
Coach Pierce enters his first season with the Mustang Football program, coaching running backs and serving as the head freshman football coach. Prior to coming to BVN, Coach Pierce spent more than a decade coaching in the state of Georgia.
Coach Pierce is a graduate of Valdosta State University, where he was a member of the football team for 2 years. Coach Pierce is a Health and PE teacher in the KCMO school district, and also serves as the head track coach at BVN.
Coach Pierce is engaged to his fiancé LaTarsha.
Michael Allen – Defensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
Coach Allen enters his second season with the Mustang Football program, coaching defensive line and serving as the Special Teams Coordinator. Prior to coming to BVN, Coach Allen worked with the New York Giants as a part of the Bill Walsh Fellowship Program, working with special teams and the defensive line. Coach Allen also has professional experience working with the Spring League (USFL), has coached at the college level at Texas Southern University, and spent multiple years coaching high school football in Texas.
Coach Allen played collegiately at the College of Sequoias in California and Lamar University in Texas, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Coach Allen will be teaching special education at BVN.
Coach Allen has three children, Michael (15), Madelyn (11) and Miles (5).
Ron Barnes – Defensive Line/Director of Football Operations
Coach Barnes enters his first season with the Mustang Football program, assisting with coaching defensive line and serving as the program’s director of football operations. Prior to coming to BVN, Coach Barnes spent the previous 15 seasons at Basehor Linwood, coaching at both the middle and high school levels.
Coach Barnes has earned many Fire Science accreditations from the University of Kansas, Butler University, and KCK Community College. Coach Barnes currently works for the Goodyear Rubber and Tire Company as a Fleet Solutions Sales Manager covering the State of Kansas and Western Missouri. He was previously a Firefighter-EMT for the City of Bonner Springs from 1997-2007.
Coach Barnes and his wife Shelly have three adult children, Austin, Josh (a member of the BVN coaching staff), and Colby.
Josh Barnes – Safeties/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
Coach Barnes enters his first season with the Mustang Football program, coaching safeties. Prior to coming to BVN, Coach Barnes spent five seasons at Mill Valley, where he was a part of 4 State Championships. Coach Barnes has also coached at Basehor-Linwood and Emporia High Schools.
Coach Barnes obtained both us bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Emporia State University. He will be teaching AVID, Credit Recovery and Business at Blue Valley North.
Coach Barnes and his wife Kayla were married in July of 2023.
Garrett Aimutus – Offensive Live
Coach Aimutus is entering his third season as a coach with the Mustang Football program, coaching the offensive line. Coach Aimutus is a graduate of Blue Valley North, helping the Mustangs win a state title during his time as a player.
Coach Aimutus works as a paraprofessional at Blue Valley North.
Derc Albrecht – Linebackers
Coach Albrecht enters his first season with the Mustang Football program, coaching linebackers. He has previously coached football at all levels from youth to high school.
Coach Albrecht is a graduate of Northern Iowa University, where he was also a member of the football team from 2001-2004. Coach Albrecht is a business owner outside of coaching.
Coach Albrecht and his wife Stephanie have two children, Kale (13) and Hadley (8).
Deron Thompson – Cornerbacks
Coach Thompson enters his first season with the Mustang Football Program, coaching cornerbacks. Prior to coming to BVN, Coach Thompson coached both football and sprinters in track through the Elevate Youth Sports and Development Program.
Coach Thompson played collegiately as a running back at Colorado State University and the University of Kansas, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Coach Thompson currently works in sales logistics.
Coach Thompson is married to his high school sweetheart, Quinse.
Find us.
12200 Lamar Ave, Overland Park, KS 66209
General Inquiries: mustangfootballbvn@gmail.com
AD: Kelli Kurl KKurle@bluevalleyk12.org
Principal: Dr. Tyson Ostroski TOstroski@bluevalleyk12.org
GridIron Club: bvngridironclub@gmail.com