Revitalized Passion: West Branch Football Coach Rediscovers Love for the Game
Brad McCloskey, a 2000 graduate of West Burlington High School, nearly gave up on his football coaching career after six years as an assistant coach at Ottumwa High School. However, with the encouragement of Hall of Fame football coach Butch Pedersen, McCloskey joined the West Branch coaching staff, where he has found a renewed passion for the sport. Under Pedersen's leadership, McCloskey has discovered a coaching style that focuses on building relationships with players and creating a family atmosphere. As the varsity linebackers and receivers coach, McCloskey is thriving in his new role and hopes to one day become a head coach.
Key Takeaways:
- Brad McCloskey had lost his passion for football coaching after six years at Ottumwa High School but found it again with the encouragement of Butch Pedersen at West Branch.
- McCloskey praises Pedersen's coaching style, which emphasizes building relationships with players and creating a family atmosphere.
- Pedersen trusts his assistant coaches to take ownership of their responsibilities and holds them accountable for their performance.
- The Little Rose Bowl, a historic venue in the community, is a central part of West Branch's football team and the source of great pride for coach Pedersen.
- McCloskey hopes to become a head coach one day and is inspired by Pedersen's leadership and coaching philosophy.
- Pedersen's approach to building a strong program is to delegate responsibilities, trust his coaches, and create a sense of ownership and loyalty among his staff.
Statistics:
- 6 years: The amount of time Brad McCloskey coached at Ottumwa High School before joining West Branch.
- 2000: The year Brad McCloskey graduated from West Burlington High School.
- 1907: The year the Little Rose Bowl was dredged out with teams of horses.
- December: The month when McCloskey's wife Natalie is expecting their first baby.
Sources:
- The Hawk Eye (Burlington, Iowa)
- www.thehawkeye.com
- MCT Information Services