Liberty High School hires Stu Ordman as 1st boys’ basketball coach

NORTH LIBERTY — Not many brand new high schools can say they have a head boys' basketball coach who tutored an NBA player.

Liberty can.

The school announced Wednesday it has hired Stu Ordman as its very first varsity hoops coach. He has over 30 years of experience, including the past three at Iowa City Regina.

Prior to Regina, Ordman spent 17 seasons at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, where he worked for Liberty Principal Scott Kibby, who was Jeff's activities director. He also coached Jarrod Uthoff, who played the last part of this season with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks.

Liberty will open its doors this fall and play its first two seasons as an independent before joining the Mississippi Valley Conference. The school likely will be Class 3A initially.

Ordman's first team likely will be made up of mostly freshmen and sophomores.

'It will be an interesting challenge,' said Ordman, 61. 'I'm excited to reunite with Scott Kibby. I have heard good reviews on Mike Morrison, that he will do a fine job (as activities director). At this point in my career, I think I look at this as an opportunity.'

Ordman said he and Kibby will form a plan this week to meet incoming players and get the ball rolling, so to speak, for the program. He said he is excited to eventually coach again in the MVC, but accepting the position was about something else.

'Not so much that, as much as just beginning a program at a brand new high school and helping develop their culture,' he said.

Ordman will retire from teaching at Jefferson after this school year, so he'll have even more time to focus on Liberty basketball. He has a 483-312 career record, including a pair of girls' state championships in Kansas.

'I remember about 10 years ago having a discussion with Scott about 'Hey, did you hear they're talking about building a new high school in North Liberty?'' Ordman said. 'He was like 'Yeah, I heard that, too.' Now to think that here we both are, that's something.'

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