Naugle steps in as Southwest Valley AD

CORNING – Southwest Valley filled its opening at activities director in June with longtime teacher and coach Allen Naugle, replacing Jason Wetzel.

The move was quickly one Naugle felt comfortable making after being around Timberwolf students and athletics for over a decade.

"I have a pretty good idea on a lot of it, coaching football for as long as I have," said Naugle. "We have a lot of great coaches that I know I can trust and I don’t have to worry too much about it."

Naugle will continue as both the girls basketball head coach as well as an assistant coach on the football team, working with the defense.

With an outgoing senior class on the basketball team that he's known since first grade, Naugle was determined to see them out in their final year on the hardwood.

"I could keep saying it every year, but I definitely wanted to at least finish Morgan (Shuey), Hailey (Thomas), Lexie (Haer) and all them through senior year. If I can handle it, I’ll keep doing it," said Naugle.

With a new school year and sports season around the corner, the rigors of the job have quickly shown the new athletic director just how much work is involved with his new title.

But continuing the tradition of athletics at Southwest Valley was the main motivating factor behind taking the advanced position.

"I think I just want to keep going. I think we do a nice job here. It’s tough being a small school here in Southwest Iowa," Naugle said.

Feeling like he was at the school most nights helping with athletics, the promotion seemed like the logical next step to helping the students involved get the most out of their time as Timberwolves.

The adjustment has opened his eyes to a lot of behind the scenes workings missed by most unaware, such as overall costs of equipment and schedule.

The changes have added to his plate as he expected, but so far, so good in Naugle's eyes.

With fall sports underway, the new activities director has nothing but confidence about his upcoming fall season.

"I’m excited with what we have coming back. I think we can still do really well in every sport and I’m excited to see what we do," Naugle said.