Pedersen selected for Bears football job

WEST BRANCH, Iowa -- Butch Pedersen, head football coach at West Branch for 29 years until his retirement this spring from teaching and coaching, Friday accepted an offer to return as head football coach.

Pedersen, a graduate of the school, 36-year teacher in West Branch and a Hall of Fame coach whose teams have won three state titles and 16 conference or district championships, will reassume direction of the program pending approval by the school board at its July 16 meeting.

One of two teachers to accept the district's early retirement incentive, Pedersen was required to retire not only from teaching, but any other district assignments. Retirees are eligible to re-apply for certain positions later under state retirement guidelines, but not for their former regular staff teaching positions.

Pedersen competed in an open application process for the football position, Superintendent Kevin Hatfield said. A committee interviewed Pedersen Friday afternoon, and Hatfield called Pedersen about an hour later to offer him the job.

"The committee and I feel strongly about Coach Pedersen's past work, his ability to lead the program, as well as his ability to continue to positively impact future students through team concepts and life lessons," Hatfield said.

The interview committee included Hatfield, School Board President Mike Owen, High School Principal Michelle Lukavsky and assistant football/head girls' basketball Coach Jarod Tylee.

Owen said the selection process enabled an "even playing field" for all candidates.

"Coach Pedersen demonstrated his tremendous grasp of the responsibilities of such a prominent position working with kids in our school system, teaching them good sportsmanship, character and determination. He has built a program that offers our young people an opportunity to achieve excellence," Owen said.