The offseason is the normal time for change, not only for players but for the coaching staff as well. This offseason is no different.
The team must unfortunately say goodbye to a few members. Jarod Tylee has stepped down from his positions of Offensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach in an effort to spend more time with his wife and young daughters. Line coach Telly Zuniga has had some changes at his workplace and will be unable to commit time to the team. Kyle Haganman, also a line coach, has been accepted into the University of Iowa Dental School and will be unable to help the team this season.
In light of Coach Tylee's departure, John Hierseman has been promoted to Varsity Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach, and Assistant Head Coach. Coach Hierseman has spent the past few years at the Junior Varsity level as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. This past season, however, he took over as the team's Head Coach.
Coming on to the team for the first time as a coach to fill the voids left by coaches Zuniga and Haganman is Jack Rummells. Rummells is a 2010 West Branch graduate and was an All-State and Shrine Bowl lineman for the Bears during the 2006-2009 seasons. After high school, he attended the University of Northern Iowa where he was a four-year starter for the Panthers. In May of 2015, Rummells attended the Jacksonville Jaguars' Rookie Mini-Camp, after which he was signed to the team and participated in their preseason training camp before getting released just prior to the start of the season. Rummells will coach the offensive and defensive lines. For one night a week, Coach Rummells will be unable to be present at practice. In his place will be Coach Tylee.
To fill Coach Hierseman's place as Head Coach of the Junior Varsity team, Matt Hills has been promoted from Defensive Coordinator, a position he will also retain along side his head coaching duties. Hills has been with the team since 2011.
Also filling Coach Hierseman's place, but at Offensive Coordinator, is Kevin Braddock. This past season was Braddock's first with the team as a coach.
In addition to Rummells, joining the staff this season are Drew Cornwell and Dave Kabela.
Cornwell, older brother of Bear quarterback Beau Cornwell, will be working with kickers at both the Varsity and JV levels and the quarterbacks at the JV level. Cornwell played high school football at City High and took his kicking abilities to the college level at Grand View University.
Kabela is joining the coaching staff as a "swing coach." Kabela will be working with receivers, defensive backs, and special teams on both the Varsity and JV levels. He is a West Branch graduate and is the former girls basketball coach.
Remaining on the staff this season are Butch Pedersen, Kevin Crosthwaite, Tyler Bailey, Cole Kelly, Austin Finnegan, and Wes Homeister.
Check out the full coaching roster below. Welcome aboard to the new staff!
Varsity
Butch Pedersen - Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator
John Hierseman - Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator
Kevin Crosthwaite - Special Teams Coordinator
Tyler Bailey - Linebackers
Cole Kelly - Offensive & Defensive Backs
Jack Rummells - Offensive and Defensive Line
Junior Varsity
Matt Hills - Head Coach & Defensive Coordinator
Kevin Braddock - Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator
Austin Finnegan - Offensive & Defensive Line
Wes Homeister - Receivers & Defensive Backs
Dave Kabela - Receivers, Defensive Backs & Special Teams
Drew Cornwell - Kickers & Quarterbacks
