Duane Schulte of Xavier High School has been named the 2013 4A Coach of the Year by the Iowa Football Coaches Association (IFCA).

This is the second time Schulte has received the award, the first time coming after a 4A state championship in 2006.

Xavier assistant coach Jim O’Connell was named the 2013 IFCA 4A Assistant Coach of the Year.

For the second consecutive season, the Saints reached the Class 4A state championship game in 2013. In the process, Xavier posted a school-record eight shutouts en route to a final record of 12-2.

“Being named the 2013 IFCA State Coach of the Year for Class 4A is very humbling," said Schulte. "Getting Xavier in back-to-back 4A state championship games in 2012 and 2013 was extremely difficult but very rewarding. It was possible because we had excellent coaches, from middle school up through varsity.

“I am very grateful to accept this award on behalf of all our coaches, especially my varsity assistants: Jim O’Connell, David Sullivan, John Tursi, Stu Ballinger, Tom Ekland, Craig Jelinek, Brad Stovie, Nick Garland, Eric Gilmour and Michael Freeman.

"Obviously, none of Xavier football’s success would be possible without our players," he said. "They bought in to playing for each other, listened to their coaches, were out for other sports, respected their parents and families, were dedicated to the weight room and the Rosary.

“Special thanks goes to the wives and families of the coaches, parents, parishes in the Cedar Rapids Metro area, the entire staff of Xavier High School, and all boosters of our school.”

Schulte graduated from Cedar Rapids LaSalle in 1980. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from UNI in 1984. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1990. Duane and his wife, Sherry, have three sons, Reggie, Bryce and Quinn, and they have one daughter, Hope.

Schulte’s coaching career started in 1985 at Davenport Assumption. He was the defensive coordinator at Assumption until 1987 under head coach Tom Kopatich, Schulte’s high school coach at LaSalle. From 1987-1991, Schulte attended law school at Iowa and practiced law for one year in Waterloo before returning to coaching at Assumption and Sioux City Heelan from 1991-1994.

Schulte returned to his alma mater, Cedar Rapids LaSalle, in 1994 as the head football coach. His record at LaSalle was 25-14 including playoff trips in 1996 and 1997. The 1996 team had an undefeated regular season at 9-0. LaSalle reached the quarterfinals in 1997.

Xavier High School was the result of the merger between LaSalle and Cedar Rapids Regis High Schools in 1998. Schulte became Xavier’s first head coach in 1998. He has led Xavier to the playoffs 10 times. Xavier reached the quarterfinals in 2008, the semifinals in 2009, and was Class 4A runnerup in 2012 and 2013. His career  record is 136-73.