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Once a Grayhound, always a Grayhound.

Jim Krekel has been a Burlington Grayhound for most of his life.

Krekel played football for Horace Mann Middle School back in the 1970s, then played for Burlington High School, graduating in 1982.

Krekel, who is in his 34th year of coaching football, spent 19 of those years as an assistant coach for the Grayhounds.

This week, Krekel was formally named head varsity football coach for BHS, a place he has called home for much of his adult life.

Krekel replaces Zach Shay, who compiled an 8-39 record in his five seasons at the helm. Shay resigned to become athletics director at Bettendorf High School.

For Krekel, it is a dream come true to be the head coach for his alma mater.

“It’s been a different journey for me through my coaching career,” Krekel said. “I was a head coach when I was younger and I’ve spent 19 seasons as an assistant coach for the Grayhounds. This really was surprising to me. I really expected to continue coaching with my friend, Zach Shay, for the next few years, but Zach found a good job at Bettendorf, so here I am. I am a Grayhound through and through. This is a great opportunity. I am going to work hard at it.”

“I think Jim brings the best of everything to us,” Burlington Superintendent Pat Coen said. “He is in our school every day, so he sees the kids every day in P.E. class and he can help keep them out for football. He’s been around for decades. From what I was told he interviewed really well and his football IQ is very high. Time will tell, but I think Jim is going to do well. The proof is in the pudding.”

Krekel spent the last five years as an assistant coach under Shay, including last season as defensive coordinator.

Krekel already has his staff in place, with two new coaches coming on board to fill the vacancies left by Shay and assistant coach Joe Bowman.

Matt Seabold will step in as defensive coordinator, while Krekel will run the offense. Sean Coleman (linebackers/safeties), David Bunnell (head freshman coach). Aaron Brown (offensive line), Ramondo Randle (running backs), Chalrie Walsh (offensive line) and Drake Yeager (defensive line) will also remain on staff.

New additions to the staff will be Josh Osborne and Jordan Webb, two former Grayhounds who played defense for Krekel in their days at BHS.

Krekel started his coaching career while he was still in college at the University of Northern Iowa. He was an assistant coach at Cedar Falls for one season under Pat Mitchell, then spent a year as an assistant coach at Waterloo West under Ed Nelson.

Krekel’s first head coaching job came at New Auburn, Wisconsin. He returned to the area, coaching Fort Madison in the early 2000s. Current Fort Madison head coach Derek Doherty played for Krekel back then.

“I was brought in to revive a program which was near its death bed. They thought they were going to have to cancel football that season,” Krekel said. “I survived that season and the next year we had three or four seniors. I really wanted to be a Bloodhound forever and ever. It’s a great school districts with a lot of great programs. I still have a lot of friends there.”

Krekel returned to BHS, where he serves as physical education teacher. He joined Tom Plein’s football coaching staff at the tail end of Plein’s career, then was an assistant coach under Ron Glasgow, John Flaherty and Shay.

Krekel is best known for stingy defenses. The 1981 BHS team he played on is still considered one of the best defensive squads in school and Mississippi Athletic Conference history.

“That was a great defense,” Krekel said. “We lost to Bettendorf, 3-0, on a field goal with 20 seconds left. Bettendorf went on to win the state championship that year. I had a great high school experience. Coach Denny Abel had a big influence on me.”

Krekel’s defense under Flaherty one year ranked among the top 20 all-time in the MAC.

Krekel inherits a BHS team which is coming off a 1-8 season and graduated 14 seniors. Krekel said his teams will be defensive-minded with a solid running game.

“We are going to be run oriented, but there will be some unique things in there, too,” Krekel said. “I like to play old school dog-bone football. We want to control the clock and use a simple passing game based on play action.

“It will be a lot of fun. I’m really looking forward to it. We are going to play hard, be aggressive on both sides of the ball. When the game is over, win or lose, we will look back with no regrets.”