BY CHARLES CHANEY

It’s going to be a little weird seeing a new coach on the sideline at Hillier Stadium next season but that’ll be reality as Dusty Buell has resigned as head boys’ soccer coach at Augusta.

Buell, who coaches at Augusta for 10 seasons, helped the Orioles reach new heights unseen or even predicted before his arrival.

Buell went 100-79-2 as the leader of Augusta soccer.

Under his tutelage, Buell led Augustas to their second ever regional championship in 2019 and their first since 2006. He was the AVCTL-III Coach of the year in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, he led Augusta to the state final four and was named the Class 4A all-state coach of the year.

From 2018-2023, the Orioles won no less than 10 games each season, with the best coming in the 2021 season when the Orioles went 17-4.

He’s thy only coach in school history to produce two league MVPs in Connor Inlow in 2021 and Cooper Buell in 2023.

His 2021 squad, which finish fourth at state, was impressive as they were the first ever league champions in school history. They rolled through the league unbeaten and pushed Miege at state. They scored a school record, 111 goals that season, only allowing 38 in their 21 games. They had four players score in double digit goals.

Prior to Buell’s arrival in Augusta, the program had never beat Wichita Trinity Academy or McPherson, but turned in multiple victories over the 4A powerhouses.

He’s the only coach to have a winning record and average double-digit wins in Augusta history.

For now, Buell plans to enjoy his time with his children and focus on the Wichita Open full-time, where he is the director for the famous tournament.

Buell’s coaching record

2015: 5-12-1, regional runner-up
2016: 7-10
2017: 3-14
2018: 10-8
2019: 12-7, regional champion, 4A state quarterfinalist
2020: 13-4, regional runner-up
2021: 17-4, fourth place at state, league champions, regional champions
2022: 12-6, regional runner-up
2023: 15-3, regional runner-up
2024: 6-11-1, regional runner-up