NORTH FREE, Ia. – In recent years they have been filled with premieres at the Liberty Sports Department of Iowa City. Lightning will now begin their first transition as a football coach.
Jeff Gordon, Liberty’s first school football coach in the more than three seasons, resigned and “hopes to spend more time with his family,” according to a Statement Friday through Operations Manager Mike Morrison. Gordon had been a member of the Lightning program for five years.
“We have to thank head coach Jeff Gordon for the time, hobby and power he has invested in the Liberty football program for more than five years,” Morrison’s said. “He laid the groundwork for Liberty football. Coach Gordon resigned as head coach”. coach and is looking ahead to spend more time with his family. He built lasting memories and relationships on the Liberty football program. “
Gordon leaves Liberty with a 12-12 record after leading the Lightning to their first winning season and first playoff appearance in 2019. In his current year, Liberty won seven games and gave Class 3A finalist Solon everything he could handle. playoffs. Gordon also oversaw Lightning’s switch to 4A in 2020.
These milestones and more were the culmination of Liberty’s successful transition to the school football scene. Gordon played a role in this movement, coaching Liberty’s freshman team in 2016 and the sophomore team in 2017. Quality performances earned him the college concert before the 2018 launch.
Of the 21 players who formed this freshman team, which began a year before Liberty High School opened, 15 were still with Gordon for that first school season.
“Jeff had to earn the task and approve an interview for the task, like everyone else. But I think what probably separates him from everyone else is that he was in a position (in 2016) to assume that,” Morrison told the Register before the 2018 season. “From that point of view, I am pleased with him.
“He has the possibility to cultivate anything he did a few years ago. So you’re going to build it and leave your own mark, and we’re going to see where it’s going. Everyone supports him. “
With Gordon’s resignation, two of the three in the Iowa City Community School District will have new football coaches by 2021. Mitchell Moore of City High replaced the legendary Dan Sabres in November.
Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI sports, recruitment and for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral. com and Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email or stay with msouthard@gannett. com on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.