His former students and colleagues have rallied on social media to remember and honor his legacy by sharing his stories of success, compassion, and dedication.
Highlights
- Brad Stewart, former head football coach at Kankakee Valley High School, passed away on January 31, 2025, after battling cancer.
- Stewart led the Kankakee Valley football program from 2011 to 2015, achieving a notable 9-1 record in the 2012 season.
- Many former students and colleagues of Stewart have rallied to express their condolences and honor his memory by sharing their positive stories about the coach.
Brad Stewart, former head football coach at Kankakee Valley High School, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
His passing was announced by Region Sports Nation, who expressed their condolences to his family and friends.
Stewart led the Kougars’ football program from 2011 to 2015, during which he was known for his dedication to the team and his commitment to fostering a positive environment for his players.
His tenure at Kankakee Valley High School left a lasting impact on the school’s athletic community.
Brad’s Former Students And Colleagues Have Expressed Their Condolences On Social Media
Following his passing, Kankakee Valley High School mourned the loss of Coach Stewart, acknowledging his contributions to the school’s athletic programs and the positive influence he had on his players.
Many former students and colleagues flooded the comments to express their disbelief and heartbreak.
One user wrote,
Prayers go out to Coach Stewart’s family and the entire KV football program. Coach you were one heck of a coach and man. You will so greatly be missed by many.
Facebook
Another Kankakee Valley community member wrote,
Helped turn our program around at KV during his time, I remember us sitting in the weight room waiting to hear the school board to approve his hire, and when they didn’t, parents made sure they knew WE wanted him.
Facebook
And that the “if you ain’t Dutch you ain’t much” approach the board at the time loved to abide by to hiring our next coach wasn’t going to happen, Diana fruend was HUGE in making our voice as players heard that we wanted Stewart. because we all wanted him as our coach.
The school board finally voted again, and confirmed him. We were so tired of losing for so long and needed change, he was the change that made us love playing football at KV again. Prayers to his wife, son, family, and fellow coaches he coached with for many years.
Many other community members have shared their memories of Coach Stewart, reflecting on his dedication to the sport and his genuine care for his players.
His legacy at Kankakee Valley High School and within the broader football community will be remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.
As the community comes to terms with the loss of Coach Stewart, his contributions to Kankakee Valley High School’s football program and the lives he touched will continue to be honored and remembered.
Brad Had An Illustrious Career As A High School Coach
Before his tenure at Kankakee Valley High School, Stewart served as an assistant coach under Kirk Kennedy at Lowell High School, contributing to the team’s development and success during his time there.
In 2011, Stewart took on the role of head football coach at Kankakee Valley High School.
Over five seasons (2011-2015), he led the Kougars to an overall record of 24 wins and 27 losses.
One of the highlights of his tenure was the 2012 season, where the team achieved an impressive 9-1 overall record and a perfect 5-0 in the Northwest Crossroads Conference, marking one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history.
After stepping down as head coach in 2015, Stewart remained committed to the Kankakee Valley football program.
He returned to serve as the defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024, bringing his extensive experience and leadership to the coaching staff.
Throughout his career, Stewart was known for his strategic acumen and his ability to mentor young athletes.
His contributions to high school football in the region have left a lasting legacy, influencing both the players he coached and the broader community.
Additional Information
- Brad Stewart was also the middle school girls’ basketball coach at Lowell.
- In addition to being a football, basketball, baseball, and wrestling coach, Stewart was also a dedicated history teacher.
