A new head coach is bringing years of experience to the Excelsior Springs boys basketball program as he prepares to guide the team into its next chapter.

The Excelsior Springs School Board recently approved five new head coaches for the 2026-27 school year, including Douglas Burnett, who is taking over the boys basketball program.

Entering his first year with the district, he will teach middle school physical education in addition to coaching. Burnett grew up in Kansas City, attended Park Hill South High School and later earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Kansas.

The coach brings 15 years of high school and club basketball coaching experience to the program, including seven years as a head coach. He most recently spent two years at Penney High School, where he said the team reached the school’s first Final Four appearance in 40 years and finished third in Class 2.

Throughout his career, Burnett has worked with players who have continued competing beyo…