Minnetonka has tapped assistant coach Mark Esch to be its head football coach while Edina hired Jason Potts, Armstrong's offensive coordinator, to lead the Hornets.
Esch was head football coach at Mankato West for 11 seasons, leading the program to a Class 4A state championship in 2008 and the Class 5A title in 2014. He previously coached at Austin.
After his departure from Mankato West, Esch became the offensive coordinator at Prior Lake before becoming running backs coach at Minnetonka last season.
He has taught health and physical education for 19 years and recently published a book, "Rise Of The Warriors," about coaching leadership.
"This program has an already strong foundation,'' Esch said in a Minnetonka news release Tuesday. "I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes, staff and community to take the program to the next level."
Esch replaces legendary coach Dave Nelson, who announced his retirement from coaching after leading Minnetonka and Blaine for 18 seasons each.
At Edina, Potts fills the vacancy created when Derrin Lamker left to take the head coaching job at Augsburg University. Lamker served as the Hornets head coach for three seasons.
An Armstrong graduate and a team captain in football and baseball, Potts led the Falcons' offense the past six seasons and helped lead a team to the only undefeated season in school history.
