Tom Kidder was all set to give up coaching football - until fate intervened.

Kidder, who coached Moniteau's football team from 1999 to 2001 and served as an assistant coach at Valley the last two seasons, was set to step away from the sidelines, possibly for good.

But Jason Best, who was the newly hired football coach at Union, approached Kidder to become his top assistant. Kidder said yes.

It set the table for an odd turn of events.

A few months later, Best unexpectedly resigned and recommended to the school board that Kidder fill his vacated position as head football coach for the Golden Knights.

"He does have some experience," said Union athletic director Scott Kindel, who was the Golden Knights' football coach the past two seasons. "I think it's easier that Tom knew the kids already."

It was a natural step up for Kidder, who had no designs on being the head coach.

"I was very content to help Jason," Kidder said. "I think the board felt secure in putting me in the head coaching position because I was a head coach before."

Kidder was 1-8 during his first year as coach at Moniteau, then went 2-8 his next season and 4-5 in his last year as coach.

After spending two years at Valley as an assistant, Kidder was planning on stepping away from coaching.

"I've been coaching a long time," Kidder said. "I was ready to walk away from it. But Jason was a nice fella."

Kidder has another rebuilding task on his hands.

Union is 3-24 in the last three seasons. But Kidder is used to rebuilding.

"Oh, I don't doubt that," Kidder said. "I think it will take three years. I think we can turn it around."

Despite starting late, Kindel believes Kidder won't miss a beat.

"Tom knew the kids," Kindel said. "Obviously, he would have liked to have a few more months to get everything together."