Matthess hired to lead NV football

Nodaway Valley announced the hiring of football coach Duane Matthess Friday night.

Matthess, the former head football coach for Clarke High School takes the position of head coach that was held by Flynn Heald for the 2019 season. Heald left the program in February to take an offensive coordinator position at Des Moines Lincoln.

Last season the Wolverines finished 3-7, winning their first game in over a season on opening night. The Wolverines finished fifth in Class A District 9, closing out the season on a five-game skid.

Before taking over as head coach at Clarke, Matthess was a defensive coordinator at Center Point Urbana. Matthess led the Indians for three seasons, finishing 3-6 (2019), 3-6 (2018) and 0-8 (2017).

"We’re very excited that Coach Matthess is coming as our next football coach,” said Michael Dale, activities director at Nodaway Valley High School. “Through the screening and interview process it became apparent that coach Matthess possessed the qualities we were looking for to lead our program. He has a strong passion for the game and continues to find ways to put his athletes in a position to be successful. We’re confident that he will help build on the momentum our program has developed the last few years.”

A Tipton, Iowa native, Matthess was a conference champion wrestler and a n all-district defensive tackle in high school. After graduation, he was a tight end and offensive lineman for Iowa Central Community College.

His skills at the college level earned him Indoor Football League stints with the Quad Cities Steamwheelers, Fargo Freeze and Madison Mad Dogs.

After college Matthess played two seasons in the Indoor Football League and had stints with the Quad Cities Steamwheelers, Fargo Freeze, and Madison Mad Dogs.

After his playing career, he attended Mount Mercy University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with a minor in all social studies.