Mike Holland has stated that he will step down at the end of this year as coach of the football team. Many had heard so many different versions of the facts and rumors about what truly happened. An interview between the newspaper and Bill Matthews was arranged in order to finally find out what really went down after the disappointing season.
After the season, coach Holland decided to step down after just 4 years of being head coach of Oliver Ames High School. The position is opened to outsiders and OA is hoping to get a qualified pool of applicants to be interviewed in January and hopefully come to a decision by February. Although current assistant coaches on the football team may apply, it sounded like it was somewhat unlikely that one of them will become head coach.
Coach Holland was loved as a coach by many players and staff, and he will continue to work as a gym teacher at Oliver Ames. Mr. Matthews said that ¨Coach Holland did a very good job building relationships with the team and I’m sure that many of them are disappointed to lose him as their coach…He did an excellent job maintaining his relationships with his athletes and he treated them with respect and I think that that goes a long way.¨
Team members also praised Holland for his hard work and dedication to the team, including Garrett Wood, who said ¨The program needed a fresh start. Holland knows that, so that’s why he stepped down. I feel great about this new start for the upcoming team. Holland is a great guy and has a great relationship with the players.¨
Coach Holland will definitely be missed by staff, players, and students alike. Hopefully the new coach and system will bring a new age of OA football, but we will just have to wait and see.