STALZER STEPS DOWN AS HEAD SHOTGUN COACH
October 28, 2025
Ottumwa, IA – After nine years as the Indian Hills Shotgun Sports Head Coach, Jake Stalzer has announced his resignation from his position with the Warriors. Stalzer is the only coach in program history to lead the squad.
“I cannot thank Indian Hills enough for all the opportunities it has provided me,” stated Stalzer. “IHCC has been a special part of my life for 12 out of the last 14 years – from being a student-athlete on the Falcons’ baseball team in Centerville to becoming the head coach of the Shotgun Sports program at age 23 along with working in both admissions and student development throughout the years. This was a very difficult decision for myself and wife, who I also met here at Hills, however, it is time for a new chapter and I am looking forward to what the future holds.”
Stalzer was tapped to lead the start-up program in October, 2016 and has guided the Warriors ever since. Stalzer led the program to new heights in recent years, and was named the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Coach of the Year for the 2024-25 campaign.
“Jake Stalzer has been the foundation of Indian Hills Shotgun Sports since day one,” stated Kelsi Weeks, Indian Hills Athletic Director. “Through his leadership, the program grew into one known for its competitiveness, integrity, and family atmosphere. His impact on our student-athletes will be felt long after his departure, as the standards he set will guide them well beyond their time at Indian Hills. While we’re sad to see him go, we’re incredibly proud of all he’s accomplished and wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.”
“From building this program from the ground up in 2016, to my last leading it through the fall of 2025 and wrapping up one of our most successful seasons to date – I have enjoyed every minute of being a part of something special,” Stalzer added. “I could not have done this without the initial support and guidance of Matt Thompson, Brett Monagahan, and Joe Starcevich, and most recently Ricky Webster. They all saw a need, vision, and the importance of beginning, growing, and maintaining this program throughout the years and I truly appreciate them instilling their faith in me to lead the squad the past nine years. I would like to think back and say even though it wasn’t always easy, we gave it our best effort and are leaving the program and sport in general on a high note.”
Throughout his tenure at Indian Hills, Stalzer saw a number of impressive seasons along the way while advocating for the sport at the collegiate level. Stalzer was instrumental with the conference office in incorporating postseason awards and All-Region teams, an opportunity that led to 10 individuals earning postseason honors during the 2024-25 season.
“To all of the student-athletes I have had the privilege of coaching and mentoring, not only on the range, but in life and that instilled their trust in me – even though I may not have always shown it, you meant more to me than you all will ever know and I am proud of each and every one of you for the great people you have become. You are the reason why I came to work each and every day excited to do great things. I always said the one thing that I truly enjoyed was the fact that this sport gave high school students, who might not have thought it was possible, the opportunity to become collegiate student-athletes.”
The Warriors were consistent contenders on both the conference and national levels over the last several years, taking home an abundance of team and individual honors. Over the last several seasons, the Warriors advanced to the ACUI/SCTP National Championships in San Antonio, TX where the program was crowned national runners-up during the 2023-24 season.
In the classroom, the Warriors saw numerous Academic All-Region honors throughout the years and added a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American® honor in 2023-24, the first individual junior college sports shooting recipient to receive the award.
