Jason Edwards steps down as Cedar Rapids Jefferson girls’ basketball coach

DES MOINES — After 10 years, postseason mental recovery didn’t occur as quickly as it used to.

“This a job that takes a lot of energy, and sometimes I didn’t find that extra juice,” said Jason Edwards, who confirmed Tuesday that he has resigned as girls’ basketball coach at Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

“I just wasn’t bouncing back at the end of the season like I used to, and after a lot of soul-searching and a lot of self-reflection, I just decided it was time.”

Edwards, 49, posted a record of 63-151 at Jefferson, including 6-16 last season.

“We appreciate the hard work and dedication that Jason gave to our basketball program over the years,” Jefferson Athletics Director Chris Deam said Tuesday in a release.

Edwards served as an assistant for Frank Howell at Cedar Rapids Washington during the Warriors’ run of four straight state tournaments between 2005 and 2008. He took the Jefferson head job after Larry Niemeyer retired.

“Being able to follow Larry, it was a great opportunity,” Edwards said. “I was accepted by my colleagues and my peers from the around the conference.”

Jefferson was more competitive this winter than it had been recently, and the J-Hawks could be poised for a breakthrough in 2022-23; the top six scorers from this season are expected to return.

Emma Slings, Jariah Harris and Aubrey Luvan will be seniors.

“It’s kind of twofold,” Edwards said. “I could come back with a lot of pieces coming back, or I could let somebody else start when the cupboard isn’t bare.”

Edwards will continue as a counselor at Jefferson.

“I’ll still enjoy the sport, and I’ll still enjoy the kids,” he said. “It just won’t be on the bench.”

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