Chad Zmolek named NFHS Iowa Boys Soccer Coach of the Year

Long-time Ames High boys soccer coach was named the National Federation of High School (NFHS) Coaches Association’s Iowa Boys Soccer Coach of the Year. This recognition honors coaches for significant achievement in their sport throughout their careers. Nominees for boys’ sports in Iowa are selected by each sport’s respective state coaches association and is approved by the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

The criteria for selecting nominees are coaching background & experience, career successes, involvement in coaches’ organizations, past coaching honors received, involvement in community service clubs & organizations, involvement in school, implementation of innovative programs for athletes, and philosophy of co-curricular athletics. 

Zmolek recently stepped down from coaching the Ames High boy’s soccer team after 23 years. Ames High Athletic Director Judge Johnston reflected on coach Chad Zmolek’s career. “He has been a staple of Ames High athletics and over his tenure of coaching the boy’s team, he has raised the bar of excellence for the program.” Over the course of his career, he accumulated 270 wins, made 8 state tournament appearances with four top-4 finishes in the state. Individuals selected as state coaches of the year are also eligible for sectional and national recognition.