HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Q&A with Linn-Mar coach Matt Casebolt

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By Luke Palandech, Linn-Mar senior

MARION - I had just finished my 20th question and was ready to end the first part of the my interview, thankful I had gotten this far.

“All right coach, that's the end of part one of this interview, can I visit you tomorrow morning and finish the interview?”

“Wait, part two? How many more questions do you have for me?”

“Twenty.”

“Fourty questions overall? For the paper? Who would want to know that much about me?”

But the question really is: Who wouldn't want to know more about Linn-Mar football and track assistant coach  Matt Casebolt and what goes on inside his mind?

He is one of Linn-Mar's most well-known teachers. Even if you have never had a class with him or play football or participate in track, you know who he is. His loud, energetic personality is evident whether he is in the classroom, the weight room or patrolling the sidelines on game day.

“Casebolt is one of the most passionate people I have ever met and its infectious,” said CJ McDonald, one of Casebolt's fellow coaches.

Q: Let's start from the very beginning, when were you born?

A: (Laughing) Ha! We are going really far back! April 10, 1976. I grew up in Albia, Iowa.

Q: What were you like as a child?

A: I guess some words to describe me back then were very competitive, energetic, and another word that my parents always used was determined. I didn't get into a lot of trouble at school but I used to fight with my sister. But don't we all?

Q: What did you want to be?

A: I wanted to be a professional football player growing up. Well, actually I wanted to be a professional athlete. Depending on the season, that's what sport I wanted to do. But football is my first love.

Q: Favorite NFL player growing up?

A: John Elway from the Denver Broncos. I liked him because he was a quarterback and a winner.

Q: Who were some of your mentors growing up?

A: My dad, John Casebolt, he was the head high school football coach, a teacher and eventually became the assistant principal and athletic director. Otherwise I guess pretty much all my coaches along the way.

Q: What did you do in high school?

A: I went to Albia High School and played football, basketball and track. (Long pause) Palandech you are making me think too far back! I can't remember! (Pause) I was also involved in my church's youth group and Student Council.

Q: How would you say you have changed since high school?

A: I think I have matured a lot. Everyone does. One thing that's changed is that I have definitely broadened my eating. I enjoy a lot more foods now. Mom said I was a picky eater back in high school. Another thing I have now is a greater appreciation for my parents and family, not taking them for granted. I guess just not taking anything for granted in general.

Q: College?

A: I went to Cornell College. I played quarterback and also did track. Had a double major in American History and Education.

Q: First job after high school?

A: I was a coach at Cornell. The first year I was a quarterbacks/ wide receivers coach and in my second year I was promoted to offensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator.

Q: What made you want to get into teaching and coaching high school football?

A: Well I started to have a family. Recruiting became a huge commitment that I couldn't keep doing because of that. I also wanted to fall back on my college education and get a job teaching to support my family. I took a job coaching at Iowa City High.

Q: What do you like about coaching?

A: The competition. I like seeing student-athletes reach their full potential. Also the grind of the whole thing, the hard work it takes to get to a finished product. And I just love the game.

Q: What makes you angry as a coach?

A: When people lose focus and not do the things they are capable of. Also when people don't compete and just go through the motions.

Q: Why did you decide to come to Linn-Mar and be a coach/teacher?

A: We live in the district and my kids were going to school there, so I wanted to be close to my family. Linn-Mar is a great school and I saw there was an opportunity for the team to be great. There were all the right ingredients to be successful. I also heard a lot of great things about Coach Forsyth from my time at City High. We knew some of the same people there.

Q: How long have you been living in Marion?

A: Ten years in Marion this April.

Q: What are your responsibilities as football coach?

A: Strength and conditioning, I am the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Q: How many hours a week do you put into coaching football a week?

A: For strength and conditioning: 20 hours during the summer and six hours during the offseason. During the season … Hmm … I'd say I put in 20-25 hours a week.

Q: So there's been a lot of talk about who will succeed Mark Atwater as Linn Mar's starting QB after this year. What will be the process for finding a new quarterback?

A: Ha ha, now you have Mark interested! (Atwater has been in the room for the last five questions, here to talk to Casebolt.) Working with people. We'll see who develops into a leadership role, who the kids gravitate towards.

Atwater:  It's interesting. Ever since Big Willie (Will Roth) it's been set in stone that I would be the successor.

Casebolt: But life will go on after Marcus leaves.

Q: How did you come up with the idea to use the barbell complex for strength and conditioning?

A: Well, I'm always looking for new workouts. I found it on a website I frequent, elitefts.com. It's a workout that challenges you mentally and physically. Even though the guys dread it, I think they enjoy it deep down inside.

Q: Who are some of your friends here at Linn-Mar?

A: Well, Coach McDonald, other coaches like Forsyth, Streicher and Lovell. Outside of coaches, I enjoy talking to Mrs. Piche and Mr. Hopkins. Those are some names for you.

Q: What makes a good teacher in your opinion?

A: Someone who brings a lot of energy and attempts to meet the need of all their students.

Q: What are some of your pet peeves?

A: I'm a neat freak, I don't like messes. I think that reflects on my classroom, the weight room, and my house. Otherwise … This is really making me think! I don't like quitters and excuses.

Q: Family?

A: I have a wife, Maggie, who's a chiropractor. I have two daughters, Emma, eight and Tessa, five. And my dog, Ally, she's 10 years old and a black lab.

Q: Do you coach your daughters' teams?

A: Yes, Coach Mulherin and I coach our daughters' basketball team.

Q: What do you like about living in Marion?

A: It's a great town. It's got that small town feel, but it has all the qualities of a bigger town. I've been impressed by how supportive the community has been of both academics and athletics.

Q: What are some of your favorite sayings?

A: Hmm … I don't know. What do you think are some of my favorite quotes?

Q: Well there's “Get a Grip”, “Who do you think you are?” and “Get Big”…

A: (Explodes into laughter) Yeah I remember using “Who do you think you are?”! I don't really keep track of one thing I say though.

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: Coach Lovell, who's very good at impersonations. My kids and funny movies make me laugh as well.

Q: Favorite funny movie?

A: Caddyshack

Q: What are you most grateful for?

A: My family.

Q: What is something that a lot of people don't know about you?

A: I do all the laundry in my house. I'm very particular about it.

Q: What are some long-term goals you have for yourself?

A: To win a state championship in football, but hopefully that's more short term. To coach my daughters at the high school level in some capacity. To have a nicer weight room facility.