Steve Staker has resigned as the Coe football coach after eight years and will be succeeded by his son Tyler Staker, athletic director John Chandler announced Monday afternoon.

“I feel the program needs to move forward with a new energy and leadership,” Steve Staker said.

Staker said he made the decision before the season, but waited to make the announcement. “With 17 active grandkids, this will allow me to be more involved in their many activities,” he remarked.

Staker retires as one of the best football coaches in school history after eight years as head coach and four previous years as an assistant. He finished with a 55-29 record, the third most wins in school history.

The Kohawks appeared in the NCAA Division III playoffs three times under Staker, including a victory over undefeated Saint John’s in the opening round of the 2009 playoffs.

“I have truly enjoyed my experience as the head coach the past eight years,” Staker said. “I would like to thank my wife, Linda, and the rest of the family for their loyal support over the last 12 years. They have truly made this a wonderful experience.

"I would also like to thank John Chandler, former head football coach Erik Raeburn and long-time assistant Larry Atwater for giving me the opportunity back in 2004 to coach at Coe College. It was very much appreciated and has been a fun and rewarding experience.”

Staker was named the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year in 2009 and was a finalist for the award in 2012. The Kohawks were 10-0 in 2012, winning the first outright Iowa Conference championship in school history.

During his eight years as head coach, Coe had seven D3football.com All-Americans and 67 All-Iowa Conference players, 32 of which were first-team selections. Staker also coached three Iowa Conference MVPs.

“We appreciate the time that Coach Staker invested in Coe College and the Kohawk football program,” Chandler said. “Steve took the program to new heights, including the first back-to-back playoff appearances in school history.

"Thanks to Coach Staker, the Kohawk football program is respected across the country.  As we move forward I am confident Coach (Tyler) Staker will continue to build on the success we have enjoyed with his father as head coach.”

A 2006 Coe graduate, Tyler Staker was a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain for the Kohawks. He earned All-Iowa Conference honors as a junior and senior, while also being named all-west region his senior year.

Staker spent the first two years after graduation as a graduate assistant for the Kohawks before being named offensive coordinator in 2008.

“I’m excited and honored to lead the Coe College football program. Coe and the football program have been a huge part of my life and have tremendous meaning to me and my family,” Staker said.

“I am thankful to John Chandler and President David McInally for giving me this opportunity. I will ensure that our program continues to embody the academic and athletic mission of Coe College and what it means to be am NCAA Division III student-athlete.”

Steve Staker will remain on staff on a part-time basis.

“It has been a blessing and a lot of fun to have coached alongside my father these past eight years,” Tyler Staker said. “He has showed what true leadership and commitment looks like, and it is my goal to continue to build upon the legacy he has built.”