National High School Athletic Coaches Association Coach of the Year Finalists

Fifteen Iowa coaches nominated for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) National Coach of the Year have been named finalists. These coaches were nominated by the members of the Iowa Athletic Council (all Iowa high school coaching associations) in cooperation with the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, who is Iowa's member in the NHSACA. These coaches were named among the top 8 coaches/ AD's in the nation.

The National Convention and Awards Ceremony will be held at the Double Tree Hotel in Colorado Springs, colorado on June 25. This event is in conjunction with the NHSACA National Coaches Convention. Each coach/AD be individually recognized and presented with a plaque for being chosen as one of eight finalists; one coach in each sport (or AD) will be called back on stage and be presented with a 10 carat ruby ring and named National Coach of the Year! This is the oldest coaches recognition program in the country and the most prestigious. This is a record number of Iowans to be honored in any one year. The NHSACA has named National Coaches of the Year since 1965.

Questions should be forwarded to Mark Tiby, Executive Secretary, Iowa Girls' Coaches Association

Iowa Coaches/AD Named Finalists:
Deb Anderson, Girls Cross Country, Gilbert
Denny Barton, Baseball, Urbandale
Rob Chapman, Soccer, Valley West Des Moines
Andy Davidson, Wrestling, Dallas Center-Grimes
Scott DeJong, Girls Basketball, Ankeny
Toni DIckey, Golf, Ankeny
Davis Eidahl, Boys Cross Country, Pekin
Dave Fetterman Girls Track, Tipton
Vance Fuller, Tennis, Cedar Rapids Kennedy
Robert Howard, Football, Webster City
Ben Pennington, Boys Soccer, Bettendorf
Marv Reiland, Athletic Director, Iowa City West
Jerry Slykhuis Boys Basketball, Cedar Falls
Tamara Verbeek, Volleyball, Western Christian
Jim White, Softball, Clear Creek Amana