He didn’t want to retire. But Heights coach Joe Auer is learning to live with it
Joe Auer didn’t want to stop coaching.
But after 30 years, more than 700 wins and six state championships at Wichita Heights, the most successful coach in City League history has been forced to step away — not because of burnout, but because of a little-known district rule that left him no choice.
A USD 259 policy dating back to pre-1995 hires triggered his exit. The retirement provision gives longtime employees a “bridge” benefit, effectively a second pension for five years, but only if they leave the district entirely. When Auer turned 60 in March, the clock started.
“Financially, it puts you in a situation where you don’t really have a choice,” Auer said. “I would have kept coaching for free if that was an option, but that’s not an option.”
Auer had known it was coming. But that didn’t make it easier.
“I view it as a blessing in disguise,” Auer said. “If you really enjoy it, when do you leave? It’s really hard to make that decision yourself. I almost feel like it was a benefit that the decision was made for me. The program is way bigger than any individual and that’s a great lesson in life. They’re going to continue to play basketball at Heights after I retire.”
The legacy: City League’s gold standard
There’s no real debate: Auer retires as one of the most accomplished coaches in Kansas high school sports history — and unquestionably the most decorated in the City League.
Heights made 12 state championship appearances under Auer between basketball and baseball. In boys basketball alone, Auer delivered six state titles (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2022), seven City League championships, 13 state tournaments and 10 Final Fours.
From 2010-12, Heights won a state-record 62 straight games. The 2011 team finished 25-0 and was ranked No. 5 nationally by USA Today. Perry Ellis, a McDonald’s All-American, became the face of an era defined by Auer’s consistency and fire.
He also led Heights baseball from 1991 to 2007, racking up 282 wins, nine league titles and 10 state tournament trips. His dugout resume includes coaching future major leaguers like Mike Pelfrey and Darren Dreifort.
This past season, in his final home game, the school unveiled a surprise tribute: the Heights gymnasium would now be called “Auer House.”
Auer 2.0: No whistle, no practice plan
For the first time since he was 23 years old, Auer is facing a winter with no games to prepare for.
That unknown is something he’s still coming to terms with.
“It’s going to be really strange,” Auer admitted. “I’ve coached a team in some capacity since I was 23 years old, so I’m not really sure how it’s going to feel.”
While the bridge rule locks him out of Wichita Public Schools, coaching elsewhere remains a future possibility. Bu he’s in no rush.
“I do think that I’ll in some capacity coach again,” Auer said. “But definitely this next year I want to take some time to step away and reflect.”
His short-term plan? Travel. Watch practices. Observe coaches. Maybe catch Paul Mills at Wichita State or Bill Self at Kansas.
“I’m going to buy a lot of popcorn and just enjoy watching other guys coach from the sidelines,” Auer said.
He’s looking forward to more time with his wife, Kay, and his growing family. He’s looking forward to holidays without film sessions, to spontaneous travel, to playing golf and maybe learning pickleball.
“When you’re coaching, everybody is on your schedule,” Auer said. “Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, everybody is on your practice schedule. That’s been going on in our house for 30 years. Now we’re going to have more freedom and flexibility. That’s going to be a true gift.”
Still, he knows what will be hardest to let go.
“There is definitely going to be some sadness and I’m going to miss the heck out of coaching,” Auer said. “The biggest thing you’re going to miss is the relationships with the kids. There’s no substitute for having 30 kids in a program that you see every day for six days a week. I don’t think you can replace that, but there’s plenty of other things to enjoy in life.”
What comes next?
Even as Auer insits he’s at peace with how it ended at Heights, he admits he’s still navigating the transition.
There’s no “playbook” for what comes next, he said.
“There aren’t a whole lot of people who have been coaching that long who I can sit down and have a conversation with and ask about the process of getting out,” Auer said. “It’s an unknown. I think I’m just going to have to figure it out as I go along.”
Maybe he’ll coach again outside of USD 259. Maybe a friend will ask for help with a team. But right now, he’s staying open to whatever the next season of life looks like.
“I absolutely loved that every season was a brand-new experience,” Auer said. “You have new leadership. New kids. A different recipe. It never got old. That’s what I’m going to miss most.”
For the first time in a long time, Auer doesn’t have a practice to plan.
And that might be the biggest challenge of them all.
This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 5:07 AM.
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