Eric Addy is new head football coach at Cedar Rapids Washington

CEDAR RAPIDS — Don’t judge him by the win-loss record. Judge Eric Addy by what he was able to accomplish at a job that might be the toughest in the state.

That’d be a definite culture change.

Addy was announced late Wednesday afternoon as the new varsity head football coach at Cedar Rapids Washington, pending school board approval. He has been at Des Moines North, his alma mater, which has a student population that has one of the highest free and reduced-lunch rates and highest minority rates in Iowa.

After five straight winless seasons, North won four times in 2022, the most victories the school has had since 1999. It won twice last season.

Addy also helped develop a pair of Division I college players in Deavin Hilson (Iowa) and David Caulker (Iowa State). He is assistant activities director at North, weight room coordinator and activities-acdemic interventionist at the school.

“Eric spent the last five seasons at Des Moines North and was able to re-energize and rebuild that football program,” said a press release from Washington. “His passion for working with student-athletes and creating an engaging environment will allow Coach Addy to build on the Warriors rich football heritage.”

Maurice Blue stepped down as Washington head coach in December after seven seasons. The Warriors went 1-8 this past season.

"I'm grateful, humbled and excited to be named the head football coach at Washington High,“ Addy said in a press release. ”My family and I can't wait to become a part of the Washington community. It's ALWAYS a great day to be a Warrior.“

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