Staker retires as Coe football coach, will be replaced by his son

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Coe College football program will continue to be led by a Staker. Just a different one.

Coe Director of Athletics John Chandler announced late Monday afternoon that head coach Steve Staker is retiring and will be replaced by assistant coach Tyler Staker, his son.

'I feel the program needs to move forward with a new energy and leadership,” Steve Staker said in a press release. 'With 17 active grandkids, this will allow me to be more involved in their many activities.”

Staker said he decided to retire prior to the 2015 season but didn't want to make it public until its conclusion. Coe beat Buena Vista last Saturday in the finale, 52-14, to finish 4-6.

In eight seasons, Staker had a 55-29 record at Coe, leading the Kohawks to the NCAA Division III playoffs three times. That included a win over unbeaten St. John's (Minn.) in the first round in 2009, a year in which he was named Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year.

A hall of fame prep coach, Staker spent 36 years at Fredericksburg High School, where he won a state title in 2001. Tyler Staker was his quarterback.

After retiring, he came to Coe in 2004 as an assistant coach for Erik Raeburn and replaced him four years later.

'I have truly enjoyed my experience as the head coach the past eight years,” he said. 'I would like to thank my wife, Linda, and the rest of the family, for their loyal support over the last 12 years. They have truly made this a wonderful experience. I would also like to thank John Chandler, former head football coach Erik Raeburn and long-time assistant Larry Atwater for giving me the opportunity back in 2004 to coach at Coe College. It was very much appreciated and has been a fun and rewarding experience.”

'We appreciate the time that Coach Staker invested in Coe College and the Kohawk football program,” Chandler said. 'Steve took the program to new heights, including the first back-to-back playoff appearances in school history. Thanks to Coach Staker, the Kohawk football program is respected across the country. As we move forward, I am confident (Tyler) Staker will continue to build on the success we have enjoyed with his father as head coach.”

Tyler Staker graduated from Coe in 2006. He was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain.

He spent two years at the school as a graduate assistant and was named offensive coordinator in 2008.

'I'm excited and honored to lead the Coe College football program. Coe and the football program have been a huge part of my life and have tremendous meaning to me and my family,” Staker said. 'I am thankful to John Chandler and President David McInally for giving me this opportunity. I will ensure that our program continues to embody the academic and athletic mission of Coe College and what it means to be a NCAA Division III student-athlete.”

Steve Staker isn't truly retiring, remaining on the football staff on a part-time basis.

'It has been a blessing and a lot of fun to have coached alongside my father these past eight years,” Tyler Staker said. 'He has showed what true leadership and commitment looks like, and it is my goal to continue to build upon the legacy he has built.”

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