Linn-Mar will go with interim co-head coaches this football season

MARION — The Linn-Mar football program will go with interim co-head coaches for the 2024 season.

Ben Martens and Chad Tompkins will lead the Lions, according to Linn-Mar Athletic Director Tonya Moe. Martens and Tompkins were assistant coaches last season for Tim Lovell, who recently announced his resignation for family reasons.

“Due to the very late notice of Tim's resignation and no prior communication that this was even a possibility, we needed to do what was best for our current staff, players and program,” Moe said in an email to The Gazette. “And that is make the smoothest transition as possible while providing our kids the best opportunity to have success.”

Moe said the plan is to open up the head coaching position following this coming season.

Linn-Mar went 4-6 and lost to Southeast Polk in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. The Lions were hit hard by injuries but played a lot of underclassmen and are expected to be a good team this fall.

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