Anderson hired as Galva FB coach

By JEFF LAMPE
For The Prairie News

GALVA – Zach Anderson has a straightforward goal as the new football coach at Galva High School.

“I was always told by the coaches when I played (at Galva) that we may not have been very good and we may not have won many games, but you knew you played Galva because we knew how to hit,” Anderson said. “That’s something I want to bring back more than anything.

“I’m not saying we’re going to go out and win eight games our first year. At the end of the day, it’s about going out and being competitive.”

The Galva School Board approved Anderson’s hiring at Monday’s meeting. He replaces Mark Jeffrey, who resigned after going 2-25 in three seasons, including an 0-9 finish last year. Galva is 2-34 in four seasons of eight-man football.

“I’ve got nothing but respect for Mark Jeffrey,” Anderson said. “He’s tried to build the program as much as he could.”

Anderson has no high school football coaching experience, but has coached football at other levels and is currently the assistant high school basketball coach. He was born and raised in Galva and was an all-conference offensive tackle his senior year, when the Wildcats finished 1-8.

Anderson hopes increased turnout for the football program will help reverse several years of similar records for Galva.

“I’ve already got some interest from the basketball players,” said Anderson, who works at J Mac Metals in Galva. “I’m telling them to put some trust in me, come out and give me a year.”

He plans to hold an organizational meeting next month to gauge interest. Anderson also plans to add Mike Funke of Galva as one of his assistant coaches.