Jerry Pezzetti’s legendary football coaching career has come to an end.
Pezzetti and his son, Ryan, will not return as the co-head coaches for Ankeny Centennial in the 2027 season. Centennial Activities Director Nate Lingren confirmed that a search for a new coach will begin immediately after Jerry retired and Ryan also submitted his resignation.
“The AD office wants to thank both coaches Jerry and Ryan Pezzetti for their impact on the Ankeny Centennial Jaguar football program, and their investments in the sport and our student-athletes,” said Lingren. “They have put players into the NFL, collegiately at every level, and developed exceptional young men. Our program has benefited greatly from their leadership, and we wish them well in this transition.”
Jerry Pezzetti, 88, is the state’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 463-196-1. He coached at Ankeny for 44 years beginning in 1969, winning a pair of state titles in 1997 and 2012, before moving across town to begin the Jaguars’ program along with Ryan when Centennial opened its doors in the fall of 2013.
Jerry was inducted into the Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998. He joined the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame in 2022.
The Pezzettis guided Centennial to a 92-54 record in 14 seasons. The Jaguars won at least seven games in nine of those 14 years.
Centennial posted a 3-6 record this season. The Jaguars got off to a 2-1 start, but then suffered a five-game losing skid before closing out the campaign with a 51-14 victory at Sioux City North on Oct. 23.
Centennial failed to qualify for the large-school playoffs for the first time in program history.
“Our staff is committed to continuing to serve our kids in the weight room this offseason and supporting the needs of our student-athletes during this transition,” Lingren said.
We will have more on this story later this weekend.