The Fred Bouchard era at Shawnee Mission East has ended before it started. 

Bouchard, who returned to coaching after a two-year hiatus, stepped down from the position on Monday to take a position as an assistant superintendent in Illinois. 

"The players and staff here at East have been working hard since being hired at the end of January," Bouchard said. "The players have been awesome, and I recognize this has been horrible timing - I said that to the players and to administration. It's really a great opportunity ahead, but sometimes, in the work of everything, you don't have perfect timing."

Bouchard had won five state championships - four with Harrisonville and the Missouri Class 5 state title in 2011 at Staley. Bouchard started the Staley football program before stepping down after the 2015 season, and remaining in the North Kansas City district office.

Justin Hoover will lead Shawnee Mission East in the interim, leading practice for the Lancers until an interim coach is named. Hoover had served as Bishop Miege's offensive coordinator and assistant since 2008 before taking the offensive coordinator position at SM East this past spring. Hoover also oversees Spin It Quarterback Academy in the offseason. 

"There's nobody more prepared as their first job for a head football coach for a major football program than Justin," Bouchard said. "I think they're going to have a really successful season with all the work we've put in, and how much work Justin and the rest of the staff have put in."

Bouchard remains thankful for the opportunity at Shawnee Mission East. Bouchard replaced Dustin Delaney, who had stepped down after the football season in 2017, after compiling a 55-8 record in five seasons and two state title game appearances.

"(Athletic Director) Debbie Katzfey is awesome," Bouchard said.  "She has been somebody on the other sideline at Lee's Summit West and we were at Staley in great battles, I found out what those people at West said how awesome a person she is to work with. She's been great and can't say enough good things about her."