COACHES
Tyler Wendland
Coach Wendland is the founder of 785/KS Elite 7v7 program that was established in the spring of 2019. Coach Wendland is a 2012 Riley County graduate where he played under now retired Steve Wagner. Named an All-State RB while he was also a three-time, 1st team All-League performer. Holds school records at Riley County HS for longest TD Run & Longest KOR TD. Also earned All-State/League Baseball honors & qualified for the Kansas State Track meet in the 100m Dash & 4x100 Relay. Coach Wendland played collegiate football under legendary Head Coach Bill Snyder from 2012-2014.
Since then Coach Wendland has trained, coached & mentored youth athletes from across the area since 2016 when he founded Hard Knocks Sports. Coach Wendland also has been coaching high school football since 2018 where he coached at Wamego HS from 2018-2019 as the DBs/Special Teams Coach & was the WR Coach at Rock Creek HS in 2020. Coach Wendland was also the DBs/Special Teams Coordinator & Co-Defensive Coordinator at 10x State Champion Bishop Miege High School in Kansas City from 2020-2023 where he won a 4A State Championship in 2022. Coach Wendland currently resides & works full time in Overland Park, KS.
Monte Spiller
Monte Spiller is returning for his 6th year with KS Elite. Spiller brings several years of coaching experience including Russell High school, Hays High School, and currently serves as the defensive coordinator at Rock Creek High School. Spiller also served as cornerbacks coach at Ft. Hays State University from 2009 – 2011. Spiller had a very successful playing career. He played at Kansas State University from 1994 to 1997. With the Wildcats, Spiller was a 3 year letterman and played in four major bowl games, including the Aloha Bowl (1994), Holiday Bowl (1995), Cotton Bowl (1996), and Fiesta Bowl (1997).
He went on to play arena and indoor football for several teams, including the Oklahoma Crude, Topeka Knights, and Tennessee Thundercats. He also had a stint in the European Football League. Spiller earned Defensive MVP honors with the Topeka Knights and Tennessee Thundercats.
A native of Dallas, Texas, and has two sons, Yanci and Ezra.
Garrett Eck
Coach Eck is returning for his 4th year with KS Elite. He is a 2013 graduate from Marysville High School. He was a three sport athlete playing football, wrestling, and baseball. After high school he went on to play baseball at Cloud County Community College. After 2 years of playing he went off to Emporia State to get a degree in education and a minor in coaching. While at ESU Coach Eck got hired to coach football at Emporia High School being in charge of the running backs.
After 2 years there Coach Eck graduated from ESU and got a job at Wabaunsee High School where he coached football, basketball, and softball. Coach Eck recently took the job of DBs Coach at Seaman High School in Topeka, KS.
Garrett Staten
Coach Staten is returning for his 3rd year with KS Elite. He is a graduate from Riley County High School in 2017, in his time as a Falcon Coach Staten earned 1x All State, 3x 1st team All MEL League, and Manhattan Mercury Flint Hills Player of the year honors. Coach Staten went on to play football at Washburn University for four years as a Wide Receiver and Special Teams player while earning Jack E. Clanton Athletic Scholarship, and 3x MIAA Student Athlete Academic Honor Roll.
Coach Staten graduated from Washburn University & is currently a Assistant Football Coach at Sante Fe Trail High School.
Jimmy Williams
Jimmy Williams returning for his third year at Kansas elite as a defensive coach. Jimmy brings a lot of knowledge critical to the development for our future athletes and stars striving to develop outstanding character and integrity for his athletes. A little bit about Coach Williams; Coach was a three time varsity starter at Junction city high school. Where he attained two all league honors. And was awarded first team Allstate by the Kansas coaches Association his senior year. Coach Williams also attended Butler community college and later took his talents to play semi football pro football. And presently in association with next level elite track.
Demetrius Bernard
(Coach Meech) Varsity Safeties Coach at BVHS Varsity Special Teams Coordinator JV Head Coach Assistant Track & Field Coach Played & Coached at Pittsburg State University 4 year starter & 3x Team Captain at PSU. All-State LB at Ft. Zumwalt West HS in Missouri.
Ben Aude
Coach Ben Aude is a young, dedicated football coach with a deep passion for developing athletes in the Kansas City area with coaching experience across the eastern side of Kansas, including his most recent role as an offensive assistant at Spring Hill High School. Coach Aude is known for his ability to build strong connections that bring success both on and off the field. A graduate of Paola High School, his love for the game has driven his coaching career. At age 22, he achieved one of his greatest accomplishments by becoming the youngest coach ever selected to lead a team at the prestigious All-United States Bowl Game in San Antonio, Texas. Under his leadership, the West team secured a dominant 32-0 victory in the national all star game with talent from across the country. Whether on the field or behind the scenes, Coach Aude is committed to teaching the values of teamwork, dedication, and a true love for the game. His goal is to inspire athletes to reach their full potential, overcome setbacks, and achieve greatness in both sports and life.
Coach Reddick
is a passionate and dedicated football coach with a solid background in both athletics and coaching. He graduated from Schlagle High School in 2016, where he was a two-sport athlete, earning 4x All-League honors in baseball and 2x All-League recognition in football. After high school, Coach Reddick continued his athletic career at Fort Scott Community College before transferring to Lincoln University, and ultimately finishing his collegiate playing career at Ottawa University. His experience on the field has shaped his coaching philosophy and commitment to excellence. Upon completing his college career, Coach Reddick transitioned into coaching, starting as the Head Coach at Gloria Willis Middle School. He then went on to coach defensive backs at both Quincy University and Truman State University, gaining valuable collegiate coaching experience. Currently, Coach Reddick serves as the Defensive Coordinator at Piper High School, where he continues to make a significant impact on the program and develop the next generation of student-athletes.
Anthony Smartt
Anthony Smartt is a dedicated and accomplished individual who has made a significant impact both as a player and coach. He was a four-year varsity football player for Gardner-Edgerton High School from 2011 to 2015, where he played multiple positions, including Running Back, Slot Receiver, and Kick Returner. His outstanding performance on the field led to a recruitment offer from Tulsa University.
After high school, Anthony's passion for football transitioned into coaching. For the past two years, he has been actively involved in coaching within the Kansas City Metro area, particularly with the CCJAA. His expertise and commitment to the game continue to shape the next generation of athletes.
In addition to coaching, Anthony runs his own personal development and training program for young athletes across the KC Metro Area, helping kids aged 10 to 18 enhance their athletic abilities. His program focuses on building essential skills such as footwork, speed, strength, power, coordination, balance, lateral movement, agility, and quickness, offering athletes the tools they need to succeed both on and off the field.
