It didn’t take long for the Perry School District to find a new high school physical education teacher to replace new Activities Director Scott Pierce, but as a bonus the new hire will also be the head varsity football coach.

Decorah native Bryce Pierce comes from a family of successful football coaches, and most recently has been an assistant at Independence High School. His hire was approved at the most recent Perry School Board meeting, and he will also serve as head of the strength and conditioning program and assistant track coach. Current Activities Director Tom Lipovac says Bryce has shown standards and expectations consistent with “The Bluejay Way,” and has a defined vision for how to develop the P.E. and football programs at Perry.

Superintendent Clark Wicks says he can hardly contain his excitement in welcoming Bryce to the fold. “He comes in with a great deal of energy, he’s inspirational, and I think that he’ll be one that will really connect well with kids. And he also realizes that we have a lot of work to do, and I think that he’s willing to put in the grind that’s going to be needed. We’re just really excited, not only for football, but then he also brings a great deal of knowledge for strength and conditioning for that P.E. position. So he’ll be a team player, he’s got some great knowledge (and) enthusiasm, and I think he’s going to be an inspirational addition.”

Perry has been without a head football coach since Matt Hardy’s resignation earlier this year. The P.E., assistant track, and strength and conditioning positions were opened when Scott Pierce – no relation – was hired earlier this month to replace the retiring Lipovac.