Gowrie native and current Panorama teacher/coach Caden Duncan has been hired as the new head football coach of the Greene County Rams. He’s in his third year as a Physical Education teacher, Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, and assistant football coach in Panora, which is his first job out of college. Duncan will be teaching middle school P.E. in Jefferson, as well as heading strength & conditioning, and being the head football coach.

Coach Duncan told Raccoon Valley Radio he’s very excited for the opportunity. He went to Prairie Valley High School with current Greene County offensive coordinator Cole Jaschke, and both were on the Upper Iowa University football team until Duncan suffered a career ending football injury. Football runs in the Duncan family as his father and father-in-law both coach high school football.

“When I saw the job posted, I knew it was something I wanted to apply for. Being from Gowrie and living in Panora, I’m familiar with the area, and I know Greene County has a strong football history. It’s a very appealing job. I’m very excited and thrilled about the opportunity.”

Duncan will become just the fifth person to head a Jefferson-based football program since 1977, following the late Bob Thompson, along with Bill Kibby, Dean Lansman, and Mitch Moore. Moore had the shortest tenure among the previous four head coaches at just two seasons. His first Ram team went 1-8 and his second squad was 8-1 in the regular season, 8-2 overall with a Class 2A playoff berth and top 10 ranking. Moore left to become the head football coach at Des Moines Roosevelt.

Coach Duncan’s first game as a head coach will be on Friday, August 23 vs. longtime rival Perry in the annual Battle for the Cowbell. The 2019 game will be at Linduska Field in Jefferson.