Bill McTaggart: ‘It just felt right’ to step down as Iowa City High girls’ basketball coach

IOWA CITY — With success comes a burden, and Bill McTaggart felt the weight of it recently.

“I’ve felt the last few years that when we walked into a gym, we were the villain,” said McTaggart, who announced Monday that he has resigned as girls’ basketball coach at Iowa City High.

McTaggart, 60, met with his players early Monday afternoon.

“I’ve never heard it so quiet,” he said. “The kids are usually talking and bubbly, but they were silent today.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but I didn’t want to do anything rash. I gave it some time after the season, and it just felt right.”

McTaggart came to Iowa City from Texas, where he had coached boys’ basketball for six seasons. At City High, he posted a 23-year mark of 402-129.

Including his time in Texas, McTaggart was 518-191.

He took 12 City High teams to the state tournament, highlighted by a Class 4A championship in 2008. Fourteen teams won Mississippi Valley Conference divisional titles, including 10 in a row from 2013 through 2022.

“There are going to be a lot of things that I miss,” McTaggart said. “I’ll miss working with the student-athletes. Everybody has their niches, and I think this was mine.

“I’ve really enjoyed seeing the girls become successful down the road. It’s something I feel good about. Sports builds character, and we’ve had a lot of success.”

McTaggart’s decision sent waves of surprise across town.

“I’m shocked,” said Iowa City West Coach B.J. Mayer. “It has always been a fun experience to compete against Bill’s teams. We’ve always competed hard during games, but afterward, we’re pretty good colleagues.

“He’s a guy with a great sense of humor, and I’m going to miss competing against him.”

McTaggart plans to continue as a social-studies teacher at City High and is interested in coaching at the middle-school level.

“I want to continue to go to City High games, but I’m going to be sitting a lot higher up,” he said.

City High finished 19-5 last season and returns two starters for 2022-23 in senior Kelsey Joens, an Iowa State University commit, and sophomore Emmy McComas.

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