March 28, 2024

Teaming up

Larson steps into co-coach role after Burmeister surgery

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GREENFIELD — Darrell Burmeister didn't intend to spend Thanksgiving in a hospital.

Then, as November gave way to December, the state champion basketball and cross country coach at Nodaway Valley expected to be working with his team instead of hanging holiday lights on his porch and bushes as part of his self-prescribed surgery rehabilitation.

Last week, Burmeister reunited with his team and his former all-state center, James Larson, who is now officially co-coach of the Wolverines boys basketball team moving forward. Burmeister appeared at the Dec. 9 open gym, and was on the bench Friday for the home game against state-ranked Martensdale-St. Marys.

Nodaway Valley came up a little short, 71-58, but it was a competitive game and everyone involved let their longtime coach know his presence was a positive development for the rest of the 2018-19 season.

"It was different for the fact that I was up and calling some of the shots," said Larson, who was an all-tournament player on the Wolverines' 2006 state championship team. "Last year I would sit by coach B and give him ideas, but this year I can call things out to the guys. The guys were definitely excited to have him there."

For Burmeister, coming off emergency hip replacement surgery Nov. 21 instead of the plan to do it next spring, it was satisfying to be back in the competitive arena again. A little bit of cabin fever had started to set in as he was mostly confined at home recovering from the surgery performed at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs.

"It was great to get back," Burmeister said. "Both Martensdale-St. Marys teams were undefeated and state-ranked, so it was a great atmosphere. Our guys played hard."

Surprise absence

Just a few days into preseason practice, Larson was suddenly thrust into the role of being in charge of the team after Burmeister's long-ailing right hip gave out.

"On Wednesday, our third day of practice, I was feeling a lot of pain," Burmeister related. "I made it through Thursday's practice and called Miller Orthopedic on Friday morning. They said they'd see me Monday. I came to find out the head of my femur was shattered."

Burmeister was in excruciating pain all weekend, alleviated in part by some medication he got in a Saturday visit to Greater Regional Medical Center Urgent Care.

Dan Dickinson, retired Nodaway Valley teacher who was Burmeister's roommate at the University of Northern Iowa, drove Burmeister to Council Bluffs on Monday, Nov. 19. Two days later he was undergoing total hip replacement surgery.

"Dan has been so good to me," Burmeister said. "He also helped get my meds and groceries, take out the garbage and other things around the house."

Because of his congestive heart failure condition, the surgery was considered somewhat risky.

"I didn't have much choice," said Burmeister, who turned 64 on Nov. 27. "The top of my femur was in pieces."

Burmeister was able to return to his Greenfield home on Nov. 30. He wasn't able to immediately begin physical therapy sessions with Every Step, so he decided to start hanging Christmas decorations on his porch and bushes along his driveway.

"I needed to start moving," Burmeister explained. "I kind of figured out my own rehab routine for a few days."

Burmeister, also a social studies teacher at Nodaway Valley High School, is in his 40th year as a teacher and coach for Bridgewater-Fontanelle or Nodaway Valley. He ranks 11th among active coaches in Iowa and 20th all-time in victories with a head coaching record of 561-214. His Nodaway Valley record is 462-108 going into this week's game at Mount Ayr.

Larson played in three state tournaments for Burmeister prior to playing at Briar Cliff University. He was head coach five years at Osceola Clarke before taking a middle school language arts teaching job at Nodaway Valley. Last year he was a volunteer coach as Steve Shantz was Burmeister's paid assistant.

With Shantz teaching in Creston this year, Larson moved into the full-time assistant role. When Burmeister had to undergo surgery, Shantz returned to help Larson. Football coach Taylor Ashman and former Wolverine player Brad Baudler are also helping with the program.

While Burmeister missed being with his team, he knew the program was in good hands.

"I just trusted James completely," Burmeister said. "He handled the practices and pretty much kept to our system."

"I asked him if he was going to send me practice schedules and he said, 'Nope, you've got it.' We were communicating after every game or if any other major decision came up, but basically coach had trust in me," Larson said. "He announced that we're co-coaches now."

Gradual return

From this point moving forward, Burmeister will plan practices and attend each practice and game. He hopes to return to the classroom at the start of the second semester. He's also anxious to begin scouting again, which has always been a staple of his game preparation.

Both Burmeister and Larson said the game day plan is a work in progress, but for the most part Larson will be the one standing and giving instructions to players.

"I'm really not completely sure how we're going to do this," Burmeister said on the eve of the Martensdale-St. Marys game. "I think he'll handle the X's and O's and subs, and if I notice something I'll say something."

"I just think we'll both be up yelling about what we want to see," Larson said. "I could call a timeout and draw something up, and coach B could do the same. It's just great to have him back."

Under Burmeister's leadership, the Wolverines own 11 district championships and six state tournament appearances, as well as consecutive conference winning streaks of 71 and 58 games. He coached five undefeated regular seasons.

But this experience has taught him the people of the Nodaway Valley school district and Pride of Iowa Conference are closer to his heart than any accomplishments on the court.

"You wouldn't believe the amount of food that has been brought to the house," Burmeister said. "So many cards, flowers and messages about thoughts and prayers. All the coaches here have done a great job. The coaching fraternity in the Pride of Iowa are not only good people to compete against, but in the end they are friends you can count on. I have been blessed to live in communities that really care."