| Mike Mayerske | |
| Birth Date: | 24 September 1942 |
| Birth Place: | Uniontown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Player Years1: | 1961–1962 |
| Player Team1: | Coffeyville CC |
| Player Years2: | 1963–1964 |
| Player Team2: | Pittsburg State |
| Player Positions: | Running back |
| Coach Years1: | 1966–1969 |
| Coach Team1: | St. Joseph HS (IN) (assistant) |
| Coach Years2: | 1970–1971 |
| Coach Team2: | Marian HS (IN) |
| Coach Years3: | 1972–1976 |
| Coach Years4: | 1977–1981 |
| Coach Team4: | Columbus HS (KS) |
| Coach Years5: | 1983 |
| Coach Team5: | Pittsburg State (assistant) |
| Coach Years6: | 1984 |
| Coach Team6: | Pittsburg State |
| Coach Years7: | 1985 |
| Coach Team7: | Pittsburg State (DS) |
| Overall Record: | 5–4 |
Michael Richard Mayerske (September 24, 1942 – October 28, 2022)[1] was an American football coach. He was the 11th head football coach at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, serving as interim head coach in 1984, and compiling a record of 5–4.[2] [3]
A native of Pennsylvania, Mayerske played high school football for Redstone High School from 1957 to 1960. After graduating, he received a scholarship in track and football from Coffeyville Junior College in Kansas.[4] In September 1962, Mayerske ranked fifth in the nation for junior colleges in rushing.[5] He transferred to Kansas State University of Pittsburg in 1963, and was an all-conference running back with the team.[3]
After graduating, Mayerske accepted a coaching position at St. Joseph High School as track coach and assistant football coach.[4] He left for Marian High School in 1970, and was named head football coach at Concord High School in 1972.[6] When he joined Concord, the school was in a 23-game losing streak. He coached them for five years, and led them to a winning record in each season.[7] At Concord, he was also assistant dean of students, a physical education teacher, track coach, and supervisor of the intramural program.[8]
He was named head coach at Columbus High School in 1977.[7] He remained with the team for five years, before being fired in 1981 after a locker room incident in which he reportedly injured a student.[9] In 1983, after being out of coaching for a year, he was hired by his alma mater, Pittsburg State University, as an assistant coach.[3] He was named offensive coordinator in January 1984, but was promoted to head coach after they did not renew the contract of Bruce Polen.[3] [10] He returned to the team in 1985 as defensive secondary coach after compiling a 5–4 record as head coach, and retired the following year.[11]
Mayerske married Kaylene Gay Banzet in August 1963 at Coffeyville, Kansas.[12]
Mayerske passed away on October 28, 2022 at the age of 80.[13]