Timeline: Lombardi at Washington

A TIMELINE OF THE LOMBARDI ERA AT CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON

April 11, 2006 – Tony Lombardi, 44, is introduced as the new football coach at Cedar Rapids Washington. He had been fired at Hinsdale (Ill.) Central; the school's administration reportedly cited the use of harsh language in front of players and assistant coaches, and Lombardi's decision not to substitute when the Red Devils had a three-touchdown lead against Lyons Township as reasons for recommending dismissal.Washington Principal Ralph Plagman calls Lombardi's dismissal "immense good fortune for Washington High School" before Lombardi is introduced as the Warriors' head coach."I've talked to at least 25 people associated with his career. We've checked every detail," Plagman said. "And our interview committee was unanimous in its belief that this is our guy."

Sept. 1, 2006 – Washington defeats Waterloo East, 38-15, in Lombardi's first game as the Warriors' head coach.

Oct. 27, 2006 – Lombardi's first season at Washington ends at 6-3. The Warriors narrowly miss the Class 4A playoffs.

Oct. 25, 2007 – Washington routs Linn-Mar to wrap up a 7-2 regular season and clinch Lombardi's first berth in the playoffs.

Oct. 31, 2007 -- The Warriors score two touchdowns in the final 1:46 to defeat Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 34-28, in a Class 4A playoff game. Five days later, the Warriors fall to Cedar Falls in the quarterfinals.

Nov. 7, 2008 – Washington advances to the UNI-Dome and the state semifinals with a 48-27 rout of Bettendorf. The Warriors take advantage of six Bulldogs turnovers.

Nov. 14, 2008 – Cedar Falls ends the most successful season of the Lombardi era, 27-19, in a 4A semifinal at the UNI-Dome. "I'm extremely disappointed because I thought we were good enough to win the game and I still think we're good enough to win the game, but we didn't deserve to," Lombardi said. "We had chances and we didn't take advantage of them." Washington finishes 11-2.

Nov. 6, 2009 – Washington falls in the quarterfinals to Iowa City High, finishing Lombardi's fourth season at 9-3.

Oct. 27, 2010 – The Warriors advance to the playoffs for the fourth straight year, but lose in Round 1 to Dubuque Hempstead and retire at 6-4.

Sept. 30, 2011 -- Ryan Cain's diving 5-yard touchdown catch with 10.8 seconds left gives Washington a shocking 27-24 win over second-ranked City High, ending the Little Hawks' 33-game regular-season win streak.

Oct. 31, 2011 – Braedon Tovey engineers two TD drives in the final 5 minutes, and Washington stuns No. 2 Linn-Mar, 28-26, in a 4A second-round playoff game. "We had a lot of chances to give up," said Lombardi, who called the win his best at Washington. "It's been a roller-coaster year, and these kids have fought through a lot of adversity."

Nov. 4, 2011 – Barkley Hill runs for 230 yards and five TDs as Cedar Falls outlasts Washington, 35-32, at Kingston Stadium in a 4A quarterfinal. Washington retires at 8-4.

Nov. 15, 2011 – Lombardi is named head baseball coach at Washington.

April 3, 2012 – The Cedar Rapids Community School District acknowledges it is investigating formal complaints made by parents about the Lombarid's conduct. The written complaint alleges numerous cases of verbal abuse against athletes, students and others on and off the football field. The complaint also alleges threats of physical abuse."He said (to my son), 'You think it's funny? I'm going to shove this ball where it hurts' (but using) a little different language than that," says parent Kathi Jensen."Tony Lombardi has repeatedly violated the code of conduct set forth by the Cedar Rapids School District," the formal complaint reads. "Many parents (and) student-athletes question Tony's character and temperament on and off the field."Lombardi denies ever physically abusing players. When asked specifically about the allegations of verbal abuse, he said, "As coaches, sometimes we talk to players loudly."

April 10, 2012 – The Gazette learns that Lombardi will retain his coaching jobs at Washington.

July 3, 2012 – Lombardi, an assistant coach and a player are ejected from the second game of a Mississippi Valley Conference baseball doubleheader with Waterloo East. The Warriors will go on to finish the baseball season at 13-26.

Oct. 11, 2012 – Lombardi is involved in an exchange with a player from Cedar Rapids Prairie after the Hawks won at Kingston.

Oct. 17, 2012 – Washington releases a statement that Lombardi is suspended for the Warriors' regular-season finale at Dubuque Wahlert."It was just inappropriate," Lombardi said. "I should not have talked to a kid from another team. I just made a bad decision.  I thought I was going to do something good and didn't. When you're dealing with someone else's young kid, who doesn't know you, it's just not a good decision. It's not going to turn out well. You don't think that way when you work with kids your whole life.""I used judgment that was regrettably not up to my standards nor the standards of the Washington Warriors," Lombardi said in the released statement. "I let myself, my team and my coaches down."

Oct. 18, 2012 – Washington wins its regular-season finale without Lombardi, finishes 3-6 and misses the playoffs. Lombardi's seven-year record is 51-25.

April 9, 2013 – The Gazette receives a call from a Washington parent, saying Lombardi was  “harassing kids,” “intimidating students and intimidating other coaches,” “bullying” and using “profanity.”

April 17, 2013 -- It is learned that Lombardi and Plagman are under investigation with the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners -- Lombardi for bullying of students, Plagman for not properly handling parent complaints and concerns regarding Lombardi.

April 18, 2013 -- Lombardi resigns as head football and head baseball coach. He plans to stay at Washington as a teacher and assistant track coach.