Atwaters run deep

CEDAR RAPIDS — Larry Atwater still can picture the days of studying game film at home with his curious sons, watching over his shoulder.

Mark Atwater remembers the days when he joined older brother, Jordan, in impromptu football games with other kids beyond the north end zone of Clark Field during Coe home games.

Both find it hard to believe those days are about to conclude. Mark Atwater is preparing for his final games as a Kohawk senior, completing a six-year stretch Larry Atwater has coached his sons in crimson and gold. Coe (2-5, 1-3 Iowa Conference) hosts Luther (3-4, 1-3) Saturday at 1 p.m.

'It's just awesome,' Mark Atwater said. 'It's something I wish every kid got to do. I'm extremely lucky to be part of such a big football family.'

Larry Atwater, in his 26th year on the Kohawks' coaching staff, was a 1982 graduate of Coe, playing quarterback and wrestling. He also ran track for a year.

Mark and older brother, Jordan, who graduated in 2014, followed in his footsteps, taking the Coe turf. Jordan continues down his father's path, serving his second season as the Kohawks' defensive backs coach.

'Coaching them is fun,' Larry Atwater said. 'It has been a good time. Coaching with them is probably a little bit more fun. You are now a peer as opposed to a dictatorial coach/father relationship.'

The youngest Atwater plans to join the coaching ranks, helping the program next fall as he finishes a semester of student teaching. Mark Atwater said many athletes have shared the positive influence his dad has on them. He aspires to have the same effect on his future players, just like he starts to see in his brother.

'The reason I want to be a coach (and) who I am is because I've seen it from my dad,' Mark said. 'To get to play for him, has been a great experience. He is a great guy. He has led me through so much.

'I love it here with him and Jordan. You couldn't have written a better script for us.'

The story started when the boys were little and football has a dominant theme. Coach Atwater brought home scout video. He would explain schemes and they talked about the game.

'Both would sit down with me,' Larry Atwater said. 'From a young age, they have been pretty invested.'

Mark Atwater said he visits his dad's office two to four days a week to chat and football always seeps into the conversation. The sport is not the only thing they share together, but it is a cornerstone for their relationship. Football can pop up anytime, anywhere.

'My mom struggles going out to eat with the three of us, because it always turns into what we talk and she gets left out of the conversation,' Mark Atwater said of his mother, Sue. 'I feel for her sometimes because it is a constant for us. If it's not talking about our team, it's college football, the Hawkeyes or what is going on.'

All those discussions and time around the game helped shape Mark and Jordan. They developed a strong understanding of the game.

'Both had very good football knowledge,' Larry Atwater said. 'They knew exactly what was going on. That comes back to being raised a coach's son.

'I think there are more similarities than differences.'

Older brother led the Kohawks in tackles his senior season. Mark currently ranks second with 49 total tackles, including two for loss and a fumble recovery. He has played quarterback, recalling his first action against Monmouth (Ill.) as a freshman.

The 6-foot-1, 214-pounder has found his niche at linebacker, tallying 101 career stops.

'I've been staying healthy this year,' Mark Atwater said. 'Overall, I've given everything I could to the program and I'm glad I was able to do that because of how much it has meant to me.

'I've felt good. I've felt like I've set myself up to be a pretty good player this year.'

Mark views the end of his playing career as a gateway to the coaching arena, like his brother and father. They all have come a long way since Larry stretched out on the family's couch and threw passes to his sons on the 'Atwater AstroTurf' of their home.

'To think all that is coming to an end soon is tough,' Mark Atwater said. 'Football has been such a big part of our family. I am very grateful for that.'

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