By Keith Brake
Montezuma Magazine Editor
The football coach who called the plays for Montezuma’s explosive offense the last two seasons is now in charge of the entire program.
John Beck, the Braves’ offensive coordinator the last two years, was named head coach in school board action on Wednesday, April 14.
Beck will take over from Pat O’Brien, who is leaving to take a teaching position in Williamsburg. But in leaving, O’Brien gave an enthusiastic response to Beck being named his successor.
“The entire Montezuma family is excited to see where he takes this program!” O’Brien wrote on the football program’s Facebook page.
Beck, a science and social studies teacher at Montezuma, went to high school at BGM and college at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. He has been at Montezuma since 2016. John and his wife, Morgan, have two sons.
“First I would like to thank Coach (Pat) O’Brien and wish him the best. We are really going to miss him! He was a great mentor to our athletes and I have learned so much from him.”
“That being said, I am really excited to get this opportunity,” he told Montezuma Magazine. “After talking to the boys, it is safe to say that we cannot wait for next fall and to build off of last year’s success.”
“In my 5 years here at Montezuma, I have learned that it really is an exceptional community and we have some really talented and high-character athletes. I have been involved with a variety of programs throughout my time here and have built some good relationships with the athletes and I can say they truly are great kids.”
“As far as the program goes, I am a true believer that football is so much more than just a game. It is my responsibility, as well as the staff, to show these kids how to be good people. Coach O’Brien used to always say, ‘we are building young men for others’, and that is really what it is all about.”
“We want a great product on the field, however, the more important thing is that when these young men leave the program, they are going out and becoming great citizens, husbands, and fathers.”
“What it results from is our athletes doing things the right way, the ‘Monte Way.’” Beck added.
“X’s- and O’s-wise, we are going to do what is best, given our athletes,” the new head coach said.
“Offensively, we are going to do what we need to put points up on the board. I will be continuing with the play-calling responsibilities and look to continue to adapt to what our guys will do best.”
“Our base schemes are still going to be there, but things may look a little different from year to year,” said Beck.
“Defensively, we just really want to get better at tackling, using our leverage, and being aggressive.”
“Coach O’Brien did a great job with the weight room and I look to continue to make that an emphasis,” Beck said.
“Our boys have really bought in these past years and it has really paid off not only in football but in all our sports.”
Activities Director Tim Burgess, who led the search for a new coach, said, “John will do a tremendous job as our new football coach.”
O’Brien wrote, “John has been a tremendous coach here in Montezuma in football, baseball and basketball.”
O’Brien noted that Beck’s offenses led Class 8 in yards per game (499.5) and scoring (60 per outing). “John has been instrumental in instilling the ‘Montezuma Culture,’” O’Brien wrote.
“Most important, John is a great father, husband and role model!”
“Congratulations, coach!” O’Brien wrote. “Always be you!”