GREENFIELD — Taylor Ashman knows a thing or two about winning.
A two-time all-stater while playing quarterback and defensive back for his father, George, at Woodward-Granger, Taylor was 32-3 as a starter under center. The 2013 grad went on to play post-secondary ball at Simpson College, where he was a three-time letterman.
He spent last year as an assistant for Scott Heitland at DC-G, helping the Mustangs to a 10-0 start before a quarterfinal loss to eventual runner-up Pella.
Now Ashman is off to Nodaway Valley, where he will replace Steve Shantz. The Wolverines were 1-8 last season and desperate for the kind of winning expectations a young coach accustomed to success like Ashman can bring to the program.
The Wolverines are a Class A school and will compete for the next two season in District 9, where traditional powers AHSTW and St. Albert are ensconced. Earlham, Riverside and Southwest Valley complete the six-team bracket.
Ashman said he had no preference when it came to the size of the program once he began searching for a top spot position.
“My biggest thing was simply to have the opportunity,” he said. “Head coaching jobs don’t come open often, and I am grateful to be given this chance.”
Ashman said he was drawn to the school even more so after concluding the interview process and meeting members of the community. He will teach physical education and health at the district’s middle school, located in Fontanelle. The high school and all facilities are in Greenfield.
“I am a person of Faith, and I felt like the ‘man upstairs’ was leading me in this direction,” Ashman said. “There is a lot of work to be done, but that doesn’t bother me. I look forward to seeing (Nodaway Valley) get back to where it wants to be.”
