Marion’s Perkins 1 win from tying career wins record

MARION – As you may or may not know, Tony Perkins has three tattoos. They profess his love of Marion High School football and celebrate the three undefeated teams he has coached there.

Having the school's Indian head logo permanently inked on his arm is proof how 'all in” the guy is and always has been.

'Number one, passion comes to mind,” he said, when asked how he wants to remembered. 'Number two would be the discipline I've tried to instill in my players. I'm trying to teach them not only football, but about life. And, three, fairness. Everybody in our program is on the same page, there is no one above anyone else. Everyone here gets an opportunity.”

Perkins, 52, got the opportunity of his lifetime when he was asked to return to his alma mater in 1999 after a stint at Maurice-Orange City/Floyd Valley. If Marion beats Washington (Iowa) Friday night at Thomas Park, he'll tie Les Hipple for most career victories at the school.

Yes, that Les Hipple, the subject of a recent book and whose name is on Marion's baseball and softball complex.

'Chasing someone like that, it's hard to wrap my mind around it. It really is,” said Perkins, who is 104-43 in 15 seasons at Marion and 159-89 overall. 'Les Hipple was just a coaching icon, a strict disciplinarian. There are a lot of people who have put him in legendary status.”

Perkins is one.

He remembers being a kid and going over to Hipple's home with his father, Larry. The stories Hipple told were mesmerizing to the young lad.

'Returning to Marion just kind of happened, really,” he said. 'We were very happy in Orange City. But I got a phone call asking me to come back. It was the greatest move I ever could have made.”

Not only did his children get to graduate from the same place he did, but Perkins got the opportunity to coach with his dad. Larry Perkins was a teacher and coach for 36 years, retiring in 1997.

He's in the press box for every Indians game, on headphones and in direct communication with his son.

'I always wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps,” Tony Perkins said. 'Whenever I get the (win) honor, it's all a credit to him.”

Marion goes into Friday night's game fresh off a 28-6 season-opening victory over Mount Vernon. Washington, last year's Class 3A state runner-up, lost to Pella in its opener, 35-0.

'I think the kids got some confidence last week, and that was important for all of them,” Perkins said.

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com