Austin Westlake offensive coordinator Kirk Rogers has been named the next head football coach at Lake Belton High School, Belton ISD announced on Thursday.

Rogers replaces Brian Cope who departed to be the head coach at New Caney West Fork. The news was first reported by David Smoak of 365 Sports.

Rogers has been on staff at Westlake as the Chaparrals offensive coordinator since 2014 where he helped direct Westlake to three consecutive state championships from 2019-2021. He was also part of two state finalist teams at Westlake in 2015 and 2024.

“After doing research on the program, I thought Lake Belton had all the ingredients to be a special place," Rogers said. "I’m hoping to improve on that success that they’ve had in all sports and get us competing for a Lone Star Cup along with a lot of success on the football field."

Prior to coming to Westlake with Todd Dodge, Rogers coached WRs at Southlake Carroll from 2006-2013 where he was part of the Dragons state championship staff in 2006 and 2011.

“Westlake’s a special place," he said. "Once a Chap, always a Chap! It was tough to tell the kids I was leaving, but these kids are resilient and will continue to be successful. They’ll be well be taken care of under Coach Salazar and a great coaching staff.”

The Olney native had a decorated playing career at Hardin-Simmons where he is considered among the greatest players to ever play in the American Southwest Conference hauling in 50 touchdown passes in just 46 games played. He was a First-Team All-American in 2000 and an Honorable Mention All-American in 2001.

Rogers spent time in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, NFL Europe and in the Canadian Football League before getting his coaching career started. He was inducted into the Hardin-Simmons Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

Rogers takes over a Lake Belton program that has made the playoffs in all four varsity seasons they’ve played, but they haven’t been able to post a playoff victory as of yet. The Broncos make the move to Class 6A in 2026 after posting a 5-6 record in 2025.

“There’s great leadership in place in the district and on campus," Rogers said. "I reached out to some contacts who gave me great feedback in my research. When I went in for the interviews there was a great connection, there was a warm and friendly feeling."