Shortly after taking the Adel-Desoto-Minburn varisty softball team to the Class 4A State Championship game, former head coach Rick Dillinger got a job offer he couldn’t refuse. Dillinger is using his 40 plus years of high school coaching experience at the collegiate level now, accepting an assistant coaching position on the University of Iowa Women’s Softball team in early August. Although he is primarily known for his softball success, Dillinger spent the previous two winters guiding the ADM girls basketball team as well. The Raccoon Valley Radio Network had one final interview with Dillinger in August about his new job at the University of Iowa and the sports programs he’s leaving behind at ADM. Dillinger believes the ADM girls basketball program is ready to rise to a new level. “What that level might be is going to depend on the new coach and what they’re able to accomplish,” Dillinger said, “I really feel like it’s a program that will be above .500 and continue to build. There are some nice young kids coming into that program.”

Dillinger added basketball was an enjoyable sport for him to coach, but he appreciates the opportunity the University of Iowa is giving him to coach softball. Dillinger’s replacement, 2000 Waukee graduate Jacob Cleveland, is entering day three of preseason practice with the ADM girls basketball program after school today. The Tiger girls basketball program opens the 2018-19 season in Adel on Monday, November 19, hosting the Norwalk Warriors in a nonconference contest.