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Iowa City High hires Bill McTaggart as new head boys’ basketball coach
Won 14 MVC championships, a state championship as Little Hawks head girls’ coach
Jeff Johnson
Apr. 9, 2024 3:42 pm, Updated: Apr. 10, 2024 10:05 am
CEDAR RAPIDS - The guy definitely knows about winning. At this school, too.
It’ll be interesting to see if that translates to coaching a different gender.
Iowa City High announced Tuesday that Bill McTaggart will lead its boys’ basketball program. That’s pending school board approval.
McTaggart amassed a 427-130 record in 23 seasons as head girls’ coach of the Little Hawks. That included a 12 state tournament appearances, a 2008 state championship and 14 Mississippi Valley Conference titles, eight in a row from 2013-2020.
McTaggart stepped down from his post in 2022. He remained a social studies teacher at the school.
“I am very excited and looking forward to the challenge of taking over our boys’ basketball program,” McTaggart said in a press release from City High. “City High has a very special place in my heart and I’m energized to get our arena rockin’!”
McTaggart did coach boys’ basketball prior to coming to City High, compiling a 91-61 record in seven combined seasons at Rio Hondo and San Perlita High Schools in Texas. He replaces Brennan Swayzer.
City High went 6-16 this past season.
“Our search was extensive, but in the end we just needed to walk up to the second floor,” City High Activities Director Phil Lala said in a press release. “Bill is a winner, he’s a Little Hawk through and through, and he’s ready to energize this program. His experience and steady hand is what our program needs at this point in time. We’re looking forward to our basketball program taking a big step forward under his leadership.”
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