Josh Bentley leaves Cedar Rapids Prairie for principal job at Anamosa

CEDAR RAPIDS — The future made this a tough decision.

But a shorter commute, and a promotion, won out.

Josh Bentley, who coached the girls’ basketball program at Cedar Rapids Prairie for eight years, has accepted the job as Anamosa High School principal.

“It’s a lot closer to home, and it feels like a good fit,” Bentley said Tuesday morning.

“I’ll be closer to my family. It’s a drive of 20-25 minutes instead of an hour (from his family’s home base between Cascade and Wyoming).

“It’s a great opportunity that I can’t pass up.”

Bentley, 40, owns a 15-year coaching record of 194-151. That includes a 92-83 mark at Prairie, highlighted by a 54-15 run from 2017-18 through 2019-20, the final three years of Sidney McCrea and Mallory McDermott, now playing at Northern Illinois and Western Illinois.

The 2020 team reached the state tournament.

“Eight years ago, Prairie took a gamble on me, and I am forever thankful for that,” Bentley said. “I got to meet a lot of great people.”

Facing the second-strongest schedule in the state (according to the BCMoore computer), Prairie was 6-16 last season, averaging just 41.5 points per game.

The Hawks return 82 percent of their punch for 2022-23, led by juniors Catie Reittinger and McKenna Murray and sophomore Neveah Diaz-Doolin.

The program will welcome a strong freshman class, and eighth-grader KeaOnna Worley is on the national radar in the Class of 2027.

“With the team coming back and the kids coming in, the program is in a good spot,” Bentley said.

Bentley’s exit means there are two high-profile openings in the Mississippi Valley Conference. On May 16, Bill McTaggart announced his resignation at Iowa City High after 23 years.

Also, Jason Edwards resigned at Cedar Rapids Jefferson in March. That vacancy has been filled by former West Liberty coach Matt Hoeppner.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com