2015 grad takes over as head coach for the Bulldogs

HAMPTON — Following approval of the Monday, March 22 Hampton-Dumont school board, 2015 H-D graduate Cole Miller will be the new Bulldog head coach in Fall 2021.

This comes after just one season as an assistant coach under Andy Bruemmer in 2020 in which the team finished 3-5, including a 28-18 playoff loss to Iowa Falls-Alden.

Miller was a part of the Bulldogs' two of three straight playoff teams from 2014-15 for H-D under coach Jerry Shafrath, who retired after the 2016 season. He will become the third coach since Shafrath retired.

As part of those playoff runs, Miller quarterbacked the Bulldogs to a record of 16-5 in those two seasons and started his sophomore year for an overall record of 18-13. In 2015, his senior season, the Bulldogs were 10-2 and ended the season in the state quarterfinals.

For his efforts, he earned third team all-state quarterback honors from the Iowa Newspaper Association.

Miller set a school mark for five touchdown passes in a game and went on to a successful career at Buena Vista University in which he set school marks for the Beavers as a four-year starter.

“I’m very grateful and excited to have an opportunity to give back to a program, school district and community that did so much for me when I was growing up,” Miller said when asked about taking over the program via message.

He faces a tall task despite having a returning starting quarterback, a pair of receivers and a running back but will need to replace much of the offensive and defensive lines. Not only that, the Bulldogs moved up from Class 2A to Class 3A this coming season and will face long travel issues along with it. The closest road trip in the new district is an hour away, the longest, an hour and 59 minutes one way.

It brings a fresh perspective to the Bulldogs.

“So exciting,” athletic coordinator Christi Weiser said. “He brings in experience for as young as he is. We talk about people who want to come in and grow. As a coach for football and basketball, he shows he seeks out knowledge. Teaching on the court, field and hallways and passionate about teaching our kids. He’s done a good job putting together a staff. We had some great candidates interview. It was really…and it was always nice when it comes down to what comes down to the best fit. We didn’t have a bad option amongst our candidates.

“We’re excited about the experience he brings.”

In other news during the school board meeting, Weiser asked the board on their thoughts on sending a letter to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union on whether to support a sanction of girls’ wrestling. There were a few girls compete in eighth grade wrestling this past season.

“Doesn’t mean we’ll start a program,” Weiser said. “But there are opportunities to begin to arise and we’re about creating opportunities. Hopefully, the union will sanction girls’ wrestling.”

There was also a presentation to consider eSports at the high school.

“I think it’s great,” Weiser said. “I wouldn’t have said that two years ago. I’m not a video games person, but the passion and knowledge, and niche of people in our society who compete and seek out practice and opportunity to grow and learn. Many of those students have another part to fit into. I’m excited that our board is open to the possibility. Good presentation. Tony Spradlin has worked for over a year to navigate what it would be and how funding would work. I’m excited about the possibility for our students.”

Scott Hoegh was also approved as the 2021 volunteer girls’ tennis coach this season.