Ankeny Native Bob Fontana Takes Head Coaching Job at Centennial

Longtime Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys’ basketball coach Bob Fontana told school administrators Friday he is leaving to take over the same position at the new Ankeny Centennial High School, reports KCRG.com.

Fontana is an Ankeny native and will be joined on his coaching staff by his brother, Mike.

“It’s not only special to be going home, it’s special to be a part of opening up a new school in your hometown,” Fontana told the TV station. “And it’s special to be able to build a program from scratch. It’s not going to be easy.”

Fontana came to Kennedy in 1997 after head coaching stints at Corwith-Wesley-Luverne and Carlisle. He is the school’s all-time leader in wins (228-133 record) and won his 300th career game late this regular season.

“I’m real proud of what we accomplished here,” Fontana told the TV station.  “There’s only one regret I have, and that’s that we didn’t win a state championship.”

Fontana will teach physchology and United States history at Centennial, which will open for the 2013-14 school year.

The opening of Ankeny's second high school in the fall, with a full lineup of sports teams, is causing a shakeup throughout the state's coaching ranks as jobs are filled.

Just two weeks ago came the news that  team for the 2013-14 school year. He will replace long-time foootball coach Jerry Pezzetti, who will coach at Ankeny Centennial High School next year after leading the Hawks to a state championship in November.