At the beginning of every season there are plenty of players the team says "goodbye and congratulations" to and plenty they say "hello" to and get to know.

This season, though, that is also happening with the coaching staff. The team is welcoming in some new, but familiar, faces to the program. Former stand-out West Branch Football players Chad Federlein, Kevin Braddock, and Austin Finnegan, along with West Branch Police Officer Wes Homeister, are joining the coaching staff as members of the JV team.

Federlein, an early '90s graduate of West Branch High School and former offensive lineman, joins the JV staff an offensive and defensive line coach.

Braddock, also an early '90s graduate of West Branch High School, helped lead his teams to several state finals and semi-finals appearances and is a staple in the program's record books, currently or formerly holding many school rushing records. Kevin joins the JV staff as a special teams and offensive backs coach.

Finnegan, a 2012 graduate of West Branch High School, was an offensive and defensive lineman for the Bears during the team's run of four-straight semi-final appearances. Austin joins the JV staff as an offensive and defensive line coach.

Homeister, a police officer and new resident of West Branch, will join the JV team as a receivers and defensive backs coach. Wes was a part of the national championship-winning football team at Grand View University in Des Moines.

With these additions, we must also say goodbye to JV coaches Chris and Bryant Robertson. Due to work and family commitments, the brothers unforutnately cannot coach this season. Chris was the JV team's head coach and lead the team to a winning 5-3 record last season.

To fill the vacant JV head coach spot, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator John Heirseman has moved in to the head coach position and will retain his offensive coordinator position.

A big welcome to the new members of the coaching staff. We are looking forward to seeing you on the sideline this upcoming season!