A mix of established veterans and young up-and-comers highlighted the Iowa coaching staff, which helped guide the team to a second straight double-digit win season this year, which included a playoff run to the semifinal round.

The staff features both former head coaches and players from Iowa’s 2021 team.

“We have two former players from last year, Hunter Ardoin and Ross Dennison, helping coach the middle school kids,” head coach Tommy Johns said. “They did a phenomenal job and helped run the scout team for the varsity.”

Chuck Gorman, offensive line coach, came to Iowa when Johns got the head coaching job in 2017. He also worked under Tommy’s dad, Mike, at LaGrange.

“We’ve had some really good times and times when we struggled,” Gorman said of his time at Iowa. “Any time you are building something you have to ride the waves. I think we have done a good job of that and of taking care of things that need to be in order. We’ve been blessed with the kids we’ve had. They work their butts off and buy in.”

Gorman said Johns gives his assistants responsibility and holds them accountable.

“Tommy lets the assistants coach and that is what I like,” he said. “You are going to hear it if what you’re doing is not good, but any head coach worth his salt lets his guys do it, then gets it fixed if it’s not getting done.”

Gorman said the father and son are similar in their approach.

“Coach Mike has a heart of gold,” he said. “He worked you, but treated you with respect. He cared about his kids and cared about his coaches.”

Gorman said Johns is adaptable.

“He has evolved like any good coach,” Gorman said. “Things that were not working, we don’t do any more. The last two years he has used this all-in saying. When our kids say it, they mean it. They work hard, they are a close-knit bunch. Tommy preaches accountability all the time and the kids have done a great job. They hold each other accountable. “

Offensive coordinator Stuart Cook is in his third year at Iowa. He said Johns looks after his assistants.

“He takes care of us, giving us time when we needed,” Cook said. “We used to go in seven days a week, but now we work from home on Sundays. He is going to listen to you. Anything he can do to make our lives a little bit easier, he will do.”

Cook said Johns sets the tone for the staff with his willingness to work.

“He is a firm believer in not asking anyone to do something he is not willing to do,” Cook said. “Sometimes I am like ‘you have to start delegating some things or you are only going to coach for a couple more years.’ I thought in the past two years he’s done a good job of delegating some things and letting guys figure it out. If we make a mistake, he is there to pick us up and help us out. Every year we get a book of assignments with all of our tasks. They change every year so you are always learning new things.”

Cook said members of the staff get along well.

“The camaraderie is pretty solid,” he said. “There is a competitive spirit. At practice, we are against each other, but as soon as that’s over, you’re with each other. Tommy has assembled some really good guys.

“Gorman defines what a coach is. He is going to do the laundry. If a kid is having a bad day, he is going to pull him aside, talk to him and make sure they are where they need to be mentally. He is one of the best coaches. A lot of young guys don’t understand all that goes into coaching, but Gorman does, and so does Tommy. You have to wear multiple hats. Phil Reynolds came out of retirement to work here, that tells you what kind of staff it is.”