Ankeny Centennial has promoted one of Jay Groth’s longtime assistant coaches to take over the Jaguars’ wrestling program.
Tyler Willers, an assistant under Groth for the last seven seasons, has been named head coach pending school board approval.
“I’m very excited,” said Willers. “I’m ready to get started.”
Willers was a four-time state placewinner and a two-time state champion at Pleasant Valley. He went on to become a three-year starter at Northern Iowa.
Willers served as an assistant coach for two seasons at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., before joining Groth’s staff at Centennial in 2019. He helped the Jaguars to a fourth-place finish in Class 3A in 2024, matching their highest finish ever.
“Jay is going to be in the Hall of Fame,” Willers said. “It’s been a great opportunity to learn from him, that’s for sure.”
Groth announced his retirement at the end of the season. He recorded 467 victories in a 34-year coaching career.
“Jay has ran a great program,” said Willers, whose wife Olivia has been an assistant coach for the Ankeny girls’ team. “He has a great foundation going. There might just be a few changes to kind of modernize the program, but I like what Jay ran and how he ran his practices. There won’t be much change.”
The Jaguars will return two-time state champion Max Dhabolt next season. Three-time state qualifier Ethan Sodergren will be among the other returnees.
“Max is a great wrestler, and we’ll have Ethan coming back too,” Willers said. “Those are some great pieces to have.”
Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren did not have to look outside the building to find Groth’s replacement. Willers becomes the third new head coach of a winter sports program to be hired from within during the last year.
In 2025, former assistant Matt Delger was promoted to take over the Jaguars’ boys’ basketball program. Lingren also hired a Centennial teacher, Chris Harken, to guide the girls’ basketball team.
“The Centennial Activities Department is extremely excited to hand the baton off to coach Willers,” Lingren said. “Coach Groth is a remarkable leader and has set the standard for Jaguar wrestling. Coach Groth was a great mentor for coach Willers and was able to show him what a successful program looks like.
“Combining Tyler’s passion for the sport and experience as both a high level wrestler and coach should be exciting for all athletes and their families here on the north side. Coach Willers has some great ideas as he starts his regime as the head coach, and he is chomping at the bit to get to work. Tyler is an elite human being. Hiring someone to lead a program of ours that has those qualities is something I never take for granted. I encourage any student athletes interested in bettering themselves throughout the winter season to meet with coach Willers and his staff to learn more about the benefits of wrestling. The future is bright, and I am excited for Tyler and Olivia for this opportunity,” he added.