HIGH SCHOOL

Ankeny football coach resigns, heads to Southeast Polk

Chris Cuellar
ccuellar@dmreg.com

Brad Zelenovich is headed back to his football home.

After guiding Ankeny through its split for the last two seasons, the 36-year-old has resigned to become the next head coach at Southeast Polk, where he was an assistant for 10 years.

Zelenovich's hire is pending school board approval, according to a release from Southeast Polk activities director Scott VanDerMillen.

"Coach Zelenovich indicated to me that this was a decision that he made in the best interest of his family," Ankeny athletic director Brent Buttjer said in a statement.

"We are very appreciative of the dedication, hard work and effort he put into the last two years during a difficult transition period for our football program and wish him well in his new position."

Zelenovich will replace Denny Muller, who led Southeast Polk to nine playoff berths in 13 seasons as head coach.

Muller resigned in January after 41 total years of coaching, with Zelenovich serving as an assistant and eventually offensive coordinator on his staff from 2003 through 2012. The Rams lost to eventual champion Ankeny in the Class 4-A semifinals in 2012, and reached the 4-A title game in 2006 when they lost to Cedar Rapids Xavier.

"We are extremely fortunate and pleased to have the opportunity to welcome Brad back to the Southeast Polk family," VanDerMillen said in the release.

"He is unquestionably an outstanding coach, yet more importantly, he is a man of character who models our core values as a school district."

Zelenovich led the Hawks to 4-6 and 9-3 records — with back-to-back postseason berths — in the two seasons following Ankeny's transition to two high schools.

The Simpson alum found a smash-mouth identity in his first two seasons as a head coach. In 2014, Ankeny finished third in 4-A in total rushing yards and allowed just 11.3 points per game in the regular season.

"We are actively pursuing a head football coach interested in, what we feel, is one of the best football opportunities in the state," Buttjer said.

"We hope to have someone in place by the end of April, if not sooner."

Southeast Polk finished 6-5 last fall in 4-A District 1.

Zelenovich did not immediately return messages seeking comment.