The only head coach in Ankeny Centennial boys’ basketball history has stepped down from the program.
Bob Fontana has resigned from his position after guiding the Jaguars to a 173-101 record over the last 12 seasons.
“Not many coaches can say they got to come home and start a new program in a new school,” said Fontana, who compiled a 474-299 mark overall in 34 seasons as a head coach. “To be able to start a program from its inception, develop it along the way and win three conference titles and earn two state tournament berths is something I will always cherish.”
Fontana, a 1977 Ankeny graduate, coached at CWL (Corwith) and Carlisle before spending 16 years at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, where he went 228-136 to become the winningest coach in school history. He guided the Cougars to four consecutive conference titles during one stretch and was named the Cedar Rapids Metro Coach of the Year seven times as well as the Mississippi Valley Conference Coach of the Year on four occasions.
In 2013, Fontana returned to his hometown to begin the Centennial program. He led the Jaguars to a fourth-place finish in Class 4A in 2020, then guided them to state again in 2023.
Chase Schutty, who is now playing football at Northern Illinois, was a starter on the 2023 squad. He texted Fontana to thank him for his contributions to the community.
“I’m very appreciative of everything you’ve done for me and this town of Ankeny,” Schutty wrote. “You set a standard and culture for Centennial basketball that will never be changed. I never told too many people this, but I almost quit basketball many times and it was because of you and the culture and environment you built for us that made me stay. I just wanted to let you know that everything you’ve done has had a lasting effect on so many kids’ careers.”
Nick Vaske, who also started on that team, echoed the same sentiments.
“Congrats on the great coaching career,” Vaske texted to Fontana. “I’m proud to say I learned and played under you. The memories wouldn’t be the same any other way. You’ve had a great impact on a ton of players through your program, so thank you!”
Fontana’s teams won at least 14 games in eight of his 12 years at Centennial. His best squad went 24-3 in the 2019-20 season.
Only two of Fontana’s Centennial teams finished below .500, including a 5-17 mark this season.
“Thirty-four years as a head varsity coach can be a grind, especially the 28 years at the 4A level,” said Fontana, who ranked second among active 4A coaches and 11th overall in the state in wins prior to his departure. “With everything that’s involved almost year-round, it takes a lot of your time. I need to catch my breath and see what the future holds.”
Fontana was named the state’s Coach of the Year by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association in 2000. Earlier this year, he was the state of Iowa recipient of the John Wooden Legacy Coach of the Year award.
Fontana said he never got into the profession for the awards or the wins. He is currently just 26 victories shy of the 500-win career milestone.
“Chasing wins, conference championships and state tournament berths is fleeting,” he said. “It’s the memories and relationships with players, coaches, administrators, sponsors and supportive parents that matter the most. It’s been a fun ride; I had a blast!”
Fontana will leave a lasting legacy on many of his former players. Kaylon Williams starred for him at Kennedy, then played in college at Evansville and Wisconsin-Milwaukee before playing professionally in Europe.
“He’s a player’s coach,” Williams said in an audio message to Fontana. “He’s someone who is going to coach you to be better on the court but also make you a better person off the court. Just your love and passion was a true blessing. I wouldn’t have been a Division I player without you, and I wouldn’t have been a pro player without you. There were difficult times where you could have given up on me, but you didn’t. I appreciate everything you’ve given to the game and to me.”
Scott Gunn, the father of a former manager, saw Fontana’s commitment to the program from a different perspective.
“Thank you for including us in your journey the last seven years. We’ve enjoyed the front row view,” Gunn texted to Fontana. “The time and effort you have put into the Centennial program is unparalleled, and many young men are better for you having touched their lives.”
Fontana said he’s grateful for all the assistant coaches who made his job easier over the last 12 years at Centennial.”
Their contributions, commitment and dedication I was always thankful for,” he said. “From the inception of our program and through this past season, to have seven former players to be on our staff throughout the years was something I was always grateful for. A special thanks to Greg Severseike, Spencer Fontana, Shion Thomas, Ben Lamaak, Matt Delger and Luke DenAdel for going above and beyond in helping develop the Centennial program.
“But the biggest thanks goes out to my family–my wife Shari and my children Madison and Spencer. They have always been there no matter what part of the year it was–the season, the offseason, the preseason. They made countless sacrifices over the years, and their love and support I will always be grateful for,” he added.
Fontana said he’s confident that the next coach will receive the same tremendous support from school administrators that he did. But he also hopes that some positive changes could be on the horizon.
“As time moves on, I would hope that our school district would take a closer look at a more equitable open enrollment policy, so Centennial and its feeder schools have the same opportunity (as other districts),” he said. “And I would hope the administrations at all the schools in the CIML would monitor their programs to ensure they are following the contact rules.”
