City High hires Showalter

IOWA CITY - Don Showalter never planned this.

“It just kind of came out of the blue,” he said.

Showalter will become the head boys' basketball coach at Iowa City High, it was announced Thursday. His hiring is subject to approval by the Iowa City Community School District.

The 59-year-old has won 562 games in a 38-year career that included stints at Elkader Central and Lone Tree. He has been at Mid-Prairie the last 28 years and was content to remain there until City High Athletics Director D'Anne Kroemer gave him a phone call recently.

Showalter visited the campus, talked to some teachers and the school's administration and was offered a job on the spot. After discussing it with his wife for a couple of days, the decision was made to move.

“I've had other coaching opportunities over the years. I've turned down quite a few jobs because I didn't want to move my family,” Showalter said. “This is just a great opportunity to be part of a great program.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to have a man of his caliber join the Little Hawk family,” Kroemer said in a statement. “Coach Showalter's commitment to excellence transcends basketball. He will not only develop basketball players but he will establish a basketball community that will stress academic excellence and strong character.”

Showalter has an extensive background with USA Basketball, is on the selection committee for the McDonald's All-American Game, was named the 2009 national coach of the year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association and was named state and regional coach of the year in 2010 by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

“I've been coaching basketball for 38 years and still have a great passion for the game,” he said. “After being at the same place for so long, sometimes a change of scenery can be good. I definitely feel energized.”

Showalter replaces Adam Loria, who resigned in March after five seasons as City High head coach.