From High School On SI · · 1m 50s
Iowa High School Team Enters Playoffs Without Coaching Staff
Iowa high school football team enters playoffs without full coaching staff.
In brief
Iowa high school football team enters playoffs without full coaching staff. Tri-Center High School enters playoffs with interim coach Chad Harder after suspending entire football coaching staff. Originally reported by High School On SI.
Tri-Center Coaching Staff Suspended
Tri-Center High School suspended its entire football coaching staff before Week 7 contest with Missouri Valley.
Head Coach Jake Gentile on Administrative Leave
The Tri-Center football coaching staff has been put on administrative leave with no student athlete safety concerns.
District Refuses Further Comment
The district will not comment further about this personnel issue and aims to give kids the best experience finishing the season.
Chad Harder Takes Over as Interim Coach
Chad Harder, a principal and head boys basketball coach, has taken over as interim head football coach for the remainder of the season.
No Coaching Staff Listed on Official Site
On Bound, the official Iowa high school sports website, no names appear under coaching staff for Tri-Center.
Gentile Replaced Steve Peterson
Gentile replaced Steve Peterson, who was head coach during the 2025 season.
Tri-Center's Season Record
Tri-Center opened with four consecutive losses before scoring a 51-7 victory over Red Oak and went 1-2 down the stretch.
Playoff Matchup Against West Lyon
The Trojans will travel to take on West Lyon, the defending Class 1A state champion, in the first round on Friday night.
Two Years Since 12-Win Season
Two years ago, Tri-Center went 12-1 in Class A and won the state championship before moving up to Class 1A last year.
AJ Harder's Stats
AJ Harder, in his third season as starting quarterback, has thrown for 1,502 yards and 16 touchdowns completing 63 percent of passes.
What matters most
Tri-Center High School enters playoffs with interim coach Chad Harder after suspending entire football coaching staff.
