This former Iowa high school football head coach switched schools. His dad soon followed

After Cody Matthewson’s joined Van Meter, his dad wasn’t sure if his coaching days were over.

VAN METER, Iowa —

Cody Matthewson was head coach at AC/GC for the past eight seasons. This offseason, however, he made a big move. It turns out that his assistant coach/dad would soon follow.

During his eight years leading the AC/GC football program, one of Cody Matthewson’s assistants was his dad, Kurt Matthewson. Kurt was also an assistant for 23 years at Madrid.

Following this past season with the Chargers, Cody took a PE job at Van Meter, where he is now the head strength and conditioning coach. He will also be the head boys track coach in the spring.

This fall, he’s an assistant for Van Meter’s championship-winning head coach Eric Trudo, who is beginning his 22nd year at the helm. When Cody made the move, Kurt wasn’t sure if he’d keep coaching.

It didn’t take long for Trudo and Cody Matthewson to reach out.

“I wasn’t sure if I was, but Cody and Eric convinced me to keep rolling,” Kurt said.

Now, Kurt’s back on the same staff as his son, only wearing the Bulldog blue.

“Playing against Van Meter, way back when I first started coaching, they were in our conference. We had a lot of clashes. Great program,” Kurt said.

Kurt is coaching the offensive line and linebackers. His son, Cody, is coaching linebackers and running backs and is the special teams coordinator.

“He’s a grandfather now,” Cody said of his dad. “Being able to have my kids there and be at games Friday nights and go through that process, how could you hate that, honestly?”

“How many people get a chance to do that?” Kurt asked. “It is very special.”

Van Meter went 10-3 last season and lost in the 2A state championship to Kuemper Catholic. The team returns half their starters on offense and defense. The Bulldogs kick off the season by hosting Des Moines Christian Friday, Aug. 28.