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After 35 years, Steve Bergman steps down as boys’ basketball coach at Iowa City West
Led the school to 19 state tournament appearances and six Class 4A state championships
Apr. 4, 2025 4:16 pm, Updated: Apr. 4, 2025 5:27 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS - Maybe you’ll see him again somewhere, some place, some time. In some gym.
Who knows?
Irregardless, let’s reflect on the legacy of Steve Bergman. Because it is immense.
The longtime and future hall of fame coach announced Friday afternoon he is stepping down as head coach at Iowa City West after 35 years. That’d be 35 incredibly successful years.
“This decision comes after much reflection. While I appreciate being given the option to continue as coach, I believe now is the right time to move on,” Bergman said in a statement released by the school.
Bergman led the Trojans to 19 state tournament appearances, nine championship games and six Class 4A titles. His overall record at the school was 623-194.
He is 666-235 in his 39-year head coaching career, with previous stops at Monticello and West Liberty. The win total ranks 10th all time in Iowa history.
West went 15-8 this past season.
“Coaching at West has been one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I am deeply grateful for the incredible support I’ve received,” Bergman said in a release. “I have had the pleasure of working with three assistants for 15 or more years: Gordon Rundquist, Nate Frese and Rick Hancox. Their hard work, along with so many other assistants, helped make possible the six state titles, three runner-up finishes, 16 confererence titles and countless wins.
“The hundreds of players that proudly wore the green and gold did all the hard work, and they and their parents deserve most of the credit. We have had longtime fans who have been with me for all or most of this journey. We built this program based on hard work, commitment and a love of the game.”
Well known for a tough-love coaching approach and an endearingly sarcastic demeanor, Bergman was virtually without peer when it came to teaching and coaching defense. He tutored many Division I college players at West, including Ali Farokhmanesh, who last week was named head coach at Colorado State.
Farokhmanesh thanked Bergman, among others, at his introductory press conference.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better coach for my four years,” said West all-stater Jack McCaffery, who is headed to Butler University to play.
“Berg is no doubt my favorite coach that I have had in my career,” said University of Iowa senior Even Brauns, who played at West. “Not only did he have one of the best coaching careers in the state, but he did so in a way that enabled guys to play to their potential. Berg pushed me in ways a coach never had. He demanded excellence from me every day because he believed in my talent more than I did at times. Coach will forever remain special to me, not only for the wins, but for the daily coaching and tough love that he gives to every player.”
Bergman, 66, thanked his family, especially his wife, Pam, for tremendous support. His four children all went to West, and his youngest child, Sophie, was a manager for the team this season.
“Coach Bergman is one of the finest basketball minds around and was always willing to talk basketball and help me out when I first arrived as the Iowa City West girls’ basketball coach,” said West Activities Director B.J. Mayer in a press release. “I cannot thank him enough for helping me and for all the contributions he has made to the basketball program and West High.”
“Berg and I were coaching colleagues for over 20 years,” said West Principal Mitch Gross. “He demanded excellence, and the results he achieved spoke for themselves. His teams consistently reflected his high standards, discipline, and passion for the game. As principal, I greatly appreciate all that he has done for our school. He has left a lasting legacy at West High that will be hard to replicate.”
When contacted Friday afternoon, Bergman said in a respectful way that he wasn’t going to do any interviews right now, saying he wanted to let his press release statement stand as his thoughts. Part of his statement mentioned he wanted to continue in basketball in some capacity, and he was asked about that.
“I’m open to ideas,” he said. “I’m still interested in doing something. I just don’t know what that is.”
Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
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