Marion school board approves Tim Lovell hiring

MARION — Tim Lovell called it 'the opportunity of a lifetime.'

It starts with the reconstruction of a proud program.

The Marion Independent School board of education OK'd the hiring of Lovell as head football coach Wednesday afternoon. Lovell, 40, has served as an assistant at Linn-Mar for the past seven years.

'I've seen this program from afar for the last 20 years, and I'm super excited to be the guy to gets to lead it,' Lovell said.

Lovell's wife, Kathy (Foster) Lovell, graduated from Marion in 1993, and their three children — Macey, Max and Kenzie — are students within the Marion school system.

'Tim has children in our district, so you know he has a passion for Marion,' said Marion athletics director Corby Laube. 'He's going to give us 110 percent.

'He has great passion, energy and character. He builds strong relations with students and athletes. You can see that when he's coaching, and when you talk to him.'

Lovell will remain a PE teacher at Excelsior Middle School, part of the Linn-Mar district.

A native of Palatine, Ill., Lovell played football at Cornell College, from which he graduated in 1997.

During his time as a Linn-Mar assistant, he worked with defensive backs, wide receivers and as special-teams coordinator.

'He's a great guy. A great teacher, very kid-centered,' Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth said. 'He played a big role on our staff. I hate to lose him, but he's very deserving to get this opportunity at Marion.'

Lovell also is an assistant coach on the boys' soccer team at Linn-Mar, and is involved with the strength and conditioning. He spent four years as an assistant coach at Cornell and one year as an assistant at Lake Forest College.

'I consider myself passionate, enthusiastic and demanding,' Lovell said. 'The kids I coach, I want to see them succeed.'

At Marion, Lovell faces a major rebuilding project of a program with a rich tradition. The Indians went 0-9 last fall and are mired in a 17-game losing streak.

Tony Perkins announced his retirement as football coach on Jan. 4. Perkins finished with a 104-59 record in 17 years at his alma mater.

'First and foremost, I want to keep the kids out that we've had, and I want to get more kids out,' Lovell said. 'There is an absolute well of young men at Marion who want to play and win.

'I want this program to produce successful student-athletes who impact our community in a positive way.'

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com