Goddard, Robben part ways
Roger Robben didn't attempt to hide his disappointment at no longer being Goddard's football coach, a move that became official at Monday's school board meeting.
"We've done a lot of work in the program," said Robben, whose teams were 23-26 in six seasons. "We thought we'd gained some things. The schedule the last two years hasn't helped in letting us continue to build. It made it a great challenge."
Robben said Tuesday he was asked to resign, though superintendent Charlie Edmonds said Robben resigned on his own.
After going winless in 2004, his first season, the Lions advanced to the Class 6A playoffs three of the next four seasons. They were 9-3 and in the 6A semifinals in 2007.
In 2008, the Lions lost their first six regular-season games before going 3-0 to win Class 6A-District 8. This season they lost their first seven but still had a chance to advance to the 6A playoffs it they had beaten Maize in the regular-season finale.
Robben, a physical education teacher, plans to continue coaching.
As for his replacement, Edmonds said, "We just want the students to be involved and to hopefully be motivated, and we'll be looking for a new coach who can build that kind of team spirit and motivation in kids."
The Goddard school district will open a new high school, Eisenhower, in 2011. The two schools will play football together for the 2011 season, then split into two teams starting in 2012. Goddard athletic director Curtis Conrad expects both schools to be in Class 5A.