Womochil re-energized at home in Vinton

VINTON - Jim Womochil is home. He's also a couple more important Hs.“I'm healthy, and I'm happy,” the first-year Vinton-Shellsburg football coach said.That wasn't always the case during his 11-year tenure at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The J-Hawks went 22-78 and are on a 22-game losing streak going into their 2012 season opener tonight against Cedar Rapids Prairie.Womochil resigned from his coaching position last November, went on a teaching sabbatical and had a brief stint as a volunteer assistant coach at Iowa State. He was hired over the summer at his alma mater to teach and be head football coach.The Vikings play at rival Benton Community tonight in their season opener, a game telecast live on KCRG 9.2.“It's great to be home,” Womochil said. “My parents are here and my kids are with me. I like our (players) here. We've got some seniors with ability. The problem is we don't have a lot of numbers. That has been an issue here. Depth will be an issue for us.Womochil divulged publicly for the first time that his years at Jefferson included a cancer scare three years ago that he felt held back the program. After multiple trips to the Mayo Clinic, the coach was re-diagnosed with another condition that has been treated.“I wasn't all in with the Jefferson program at that time,” said Womochil, who also had a hip replaced eight years ago. “I think that really did hurt the development of the program.”He said he actually was offered other jobs during his stint at Jefferson, including by Vinton-Shellsburg. A relationship with offensive coordinator Courtney Messingham led to his gig with Iowa State.Messingham and Womochil were football teammates at Northern Iowa.“That has made me a better football coach and better teacher,” he said. “It was time for a change for me, a change for Jefferson. I got the opportunity at Iowa State ... I just couldn't quite get it done.”He's determined to get it done at Vinton-Shellsburg.