Harris goal: ‘Leave a mark’

WASHINGTON - It's that new car smell. Iowa City Liberty's head football coach for the upcoming season will be Washington's head coach for the past three years, James Harris.

New team, new school, new town, new church, new job, new challenges, all await Harris.

'Something new is always special, right?” Harris said. 'Getting to work in a new school with incredible facilities, the newness of it allows the chance to leave a mark on the program.”

The school opened in 2017 and has plenty of resources, including brand-new facilities.

Liberty chose Harris from among 35 candidates that applied for the job vacated when Jeff Gordon resigned in January.

'Coach Harris fits what we are looking for in our culture at Liberty,” Lightning athletic director Mike Morrison said. 'We strive to hire people who believe in hard work, passion for that work, have a deep desire to help kids be successful and work as a team.”

Other 'important pieces” Morrison mentioned that made Harris a 'great fit for us” were his high energy, passion for the game, and passion for teaching. Harris is a special-education teacher.

'He will teach our kids how to play football and teach our kids the other things that come with football that translate into lifelong lessons,” Morrison said. 'He's an amazing person who could impact our building.”

The new job will impact Harris' personal life as well with his girlfriend already living in Iowa City.

'The professional running circles in Iowa City are second to none,” Harris said. 'It's a step up and there's a lot of work to do, but it's a big opportunity.”

Harris said the opportunity came from his assistants' hard work, but doesn't see any of them following him to Iowa City.

'I think a big part of why I got some notoriety was our offense and that was Coach Don Miksch, second to none as an offensive coordinator,” Harris said. 'All the guys on the staff are really awesome, awesome coaches, awesome people and great with the kids.”

Washington assistant coaches this year and their area although all help with everything were Miksch (offensive coordinator), Justin Chambers (linebackers), Jacob Garrett (defense), Kurt Levetzow (defensive linemen), Lane Ranck (wide receivers, special teams), Shannon Rugg (offensive lineman), Kelly Williams (running backs, defensive backs) and Nic Williams (offensive line).

'I would think they would be the front-runners for the head coach position, but I don't know what they're going to do,” Harris said.

Athletic director Brent Van Weelden is on vacation this week as it is spring break at Washington.

Washington improved in the three years Harris was coach, although the stats fell off this past year because so many games were out of hand by halftime.

'That is a huge pick up for Liberty because Coach Harris is an amazing coach,” Fort Madison head coach Derek Dougherty said. Fort Madison has lost its last 10 games against Washington, but will be in a different class this upcoming season in the same district as Liberty. 'I admire how he always has his guys playing like their hair is on fire. He is an intense competitor and his players feed off that. Washington is a disciplined team who plays hard. That is led from the top.”

Class 3A

2018 - 21st in touchdowns per game, 35th in yards, average score 25-23

2019 - First in touchdowns per game, first in yards, average score 37-20

2020 - Second in touchdowns per game, 24th in yards, average score 42-16