When Burlington High School was looking for a new head football coach, it didn’t have to look far.
Grayhound alum Jordan Webb was the ideal candidate.
Webb excelled as an athlete during his BHS career before eventually returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach.
On Monday night, Webb ran his first official practice at Bracewell Stadium as the Grayhound head coach.
“I am really excited for this opportunity,” Webb said. “Ever since I was an athlete, I wanted to be the head football coach at Burlington High School. This is my way to give back to the school and the community. I want to show my love for the kids and for the game of football.”
Webb, 31, takes over for long-time BHS coach Jim Krekel, who retired following the 2023 season.
“I could go on for days about what I learned from Coach Krekel,” Webb said. “He gave me great perspective on how to run a program. He showed me how he breaks everything down and shares it with the kids.”
Webb said the early practices this week will be fairly straightforward.
“We will work on basics and fundamentals,” he said. “And then build from there.”
Webb will also bring his own philosophy and schemes to the Burlington program.
“We will absolutely see some different things offensively and defensively,” he said.
BHS athletic director Jay Huff said the transition to a new head coach has been smooth.
“I am really excited about Coach Webb taking over the football program,” Huff said. “He is a Grayhound through and through. He has done an outstanding job working with our student-athletes since he has returned to BHS.”
Webb had an opportunity to work with his players during the team’s football camp last week.
“That definitely helped with my transition,” he said. “We have a good idea what we want to do and the camp went really well.”
Webb was an outstanding athlete for the Grayhounds, excelling in football and track. He ran on sprint relays that won two state championships and two Drake Relays titles.
Webb went on to become a starting safety for the Northern Iowa football team during his senior season in college. He also ran track at UNI.
Webb was an assistant football coach at West Burlington for two years before serving as a BHS assistant the past four seasons.
He previously served as Burlington’s defensive coordinator.
Webb also is the head boys track coach at BHS.
The Hounds return a handful of starters in football from a team that finished 4-5 last season. Webb also brings in six new assistant coaches.
Among the top returning players is standout linebacker Adrian Perez-Hall, who was a force defensively last season. He had 34 tackles, including five for loss.
Perez-Hall, a junior, also contributes on offense and special teams.
“Adrian brings everything to the table — the main dish, the sides and everything else you need,” Webb said. “He’s an important part of our offense and defense. He goes 100 miles per hour. He plays hard and leads the way for us.”
Webb and his wife are raising three three young children in Burlington.
He teaches physical education and health at Burlington High School.
Webb knows what success looks like in the Grayhound football program. He has been part of BHS playoff teams as a player and as a coach.
“We have a winning tradition here,” he said. “And we obviously want it to continue.”
Webb believes in being more than just someone who is trying to win on Friday nights.
“My job is to make these athletes better people,” he said. “We want to build relationships with these players. I want them to know I care about them beyond football.
“I personally believe this is where I truly belong. I feel like I can make a difference with these young men.”
