Ryan Van Veen

Montezuma coaches step down
Dec. 21, 2011

Montezuma is looking at a major overhaul of its fall athletic program at the high school level after the school board accepted the resignations of its head football and volleyball coaches during its Wednesday, Dec. 21 meeting.

Football coach Ryan Van Veen and volleyball coach Jim Woods, along with his wife and assistant coach, Mary Woods, all turned in their resignations.

Van Veen, a fifth-grade teacher and boys track coach in the district, turned in his resignation as football coach only.

The Woods' are employed full-time outside the district and served Montezuma as volleyball coaches only.

Van Veen served 5 years as head coach, taking over in 2007, the year after the Braves made an appearance in the Class 1A state championship game.

His teams compiled an overall record of 18 wins and 27 losses, including a 9-22 mark in district play. He had two winning seasons, 5-4 in 2007 and again in 2009.

His strongest overall record was in 2007, when a 5-4 team went 4-3 in district play in Montezuma's last year in Class 1A. The Braves have since dropped to enrollment Class A.

Van Veen did not give a reason in a brief resignation note.

The Woods' directed the volleyball program to its two most successful seasons ever. The Bravettes were 13-14 last year and 18-9 this season, both school records for wins in a season. They were 3-7 in South Iowa Cedar League play last year and 6-4 this season, which was the most league wins in school history.

Montezuma volleyball had experienced just one winning season (10-9 in 1992) previously.

In his resignation letter, Woods noted that he and his wife reside in New Sharon and that Mary teaches in the North Mahaska schools. He said living and working in one community and coaching in another has led to some concern in the North Mahaska community. He thanked Montezuma's students, parents and administration for making them feel welcome. 

Mary and Jim Woods

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