Rockhurst High School is pleased to welcome back Will Gorden to its school community. Coach Gorden will serve as the head baseball coach beginning in the 2024-25 school year; he previously taught and coached at Rockhurst from 2006-2011.
He owns an impressive background in baseball, coaching players of all age levels. Following his previous tenure at Rockhurst, Coach Gorden took over as the head coach a Bishop Miege High School from 2011-2015, with the Stags winning two Regional Championships.
Accepting a unique opportunity in 2015, Coach Gorden shared his love of the game on an international level. In a partnership with Major League Baseball, he became the Head Coach/Director of the Wuxi Development Center for MLB China, and coach of the MLB Elite Camp in Taiwan.
Coach Gorden made the decision to come back to Kansas City in 2017 and return to his passion of educating high school student-athletes. He led Shawnee Mission East as its head baseball coach for six successful seasons with the Lancers. During those seasons his teams combined for a record of 80-49 with Regional Championships in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He coached 27 All-League and 11 All-State players over his six seasons. The 2024 Lancers finished 4th at the KSHSAA Class 6A State Tournament.
Since 2008 Coach Gorden has also served as the Director of Youth/High School Programs for the Building Champions Baseball Academy while continuing his nearly 20 years of experience as a private pitching and hitting instructor, working with hundreds of young athletes to improve their abilities on the field.
“I am humbled and excited for the privilege and honor to be the next head baseball coach at Rockhurst High School,” said Coach Gorden. “I am grateful for the last seven years at Shawnee Mission East. The players, parents, administrators, and staff supported a strong baseball community there and I look forward to their continued success.”
“I’m excited to step into a new role at Rockhurst and I appreciate all that Coach DeGraw has done for the program and its history,” continued Coach Gorden. “I see unlimited growth and potential within the program, its facilities, and players.”
“A Catholic Christian man of integrity and goodness, Coach Gorden returns to Rockhurst High School to labor alongside young men of great talent and ability,” shared Rev. Vincent Giacabazi, SJ, principal. “I have tremendous respect for him as a person, and his excellent commitment to student-athlete-focused baseball is unmatched; Coach Gorden is a true blessing for the whole Rockhurst community.”
“Coach Gorden stood out among a pool of excellent candidates. He is revered around Kansas City for his work with youth and high school student-athletes,” remarked Tom Kruse, athletic director. “We look forward to his superior work with our players on and off the field.”
Rockhurst also welcomes Coach Gorden’s wife, Ashley, their son, Foxx, and their daughter, Poppy.
Rockhurst High School thanks its Search Committee of former players, parents, and RHS community members for their work throughout the search and interview process.
