Photo by Paul DeCoursey Iowa Central football coach Kevin Twait talks to his players during a game inside Dodger Stadium earlier this year.

Kevin Twait’s passions are family and football.

On Wednesday, the long-time coach announced his decision to step away from the game he loves to spend more time with the people in his life who are closest to him.

The decision wasn’t an easy one, but at the end of a lot of soul searching, Twait relinquished control of an Iowa Central program he’d captained for over two decades.

“It was an awfully difficult decision,” Twait said. “It’s all I have ever known and done for the past 28 years (including 22 seasons with the Tritons). It’s a cycle for the mindset of a football coach.

“We haven’t had much success for the past couple of years, so we’ve decided it’s time for a new voice and new leadership here. I’m proud of my staff and what we’ve accomplished.”

Twait, who compiled a 140-93 record in 22 years at Iowa Central, isn’t stepping away from his duties at the school. He will become the new athletic director on July 1, when current AD Rick Sandquist formally accepts an early retirement package. He will step down after eight years at the position on June 30.

“I’m not leaving Iowa Central — I’m just going to be moving my office. It’s been a tremendous environment, and I’m proud to have been the Iowa Central coach,” Twait said. “It’s a great professional opportunity for me to oversee a school I care deeply about and the 30 sports we have here.

“I wasn’t forced out by any means. It’s just a professional move. I’m stepping aside from football and going to oversee the athletic department.”

Sandquist is leaving his AD position after three years of dual leadership as AD and softball coach. He will retain his position as softball coach.

“Kevin is going to do a fantastic job,” Sandquist said. “Tom Beneke (Iowa Central Vice President, Enrollment Management and Student Development) talked to Kevin (about the idea), and I think that got the wheel spinning. The timing was right; everything came together and worked out for Kevin.”

Twait began the difficult task of telling those closest to him earlier this week.

“I told my family on Monday, the staff on Tuesday and the players a half an hour ago (Wednesday at 4 o’clock),” Twait said in an exclusive interview with The Messenger. “When I was standing on the field in Kansas (last Saturday), my wife (Cathy) came down and we looked up and the scoreboard and it said Iowa Central 7, (seventh-ranked) Butler 0. She knew. We knew. That game was so rewarding, to see the sophomores go out in victory, beating a team that hadn’t been shut out in its last 231 home games (dating back to 1978).

Twait recognized his staff, which has been with him almost in its entirety for years.

“It’s been really special to have my dad (Hall of Fame legend Duane Twait) coach with me (at ICCC),” Twait said. “He’s been sidelines with me for the past 15 seasons.

“It’s been a special thing for me to have the best coach I know in my corner.”

Twait’s family was always unconditionally supportive of his career choice.

“Behind every successful coach is someone who allows you to be successful,” Twait said. “It takes a lot of hours to be a coach, and my wife, Cathy, is a model for allowing me to coach.

“I want to thank her for being unselfish and allowing me to do this.”

Twait came to Iowa Central in 1996 after a six-year stint at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. Then-athletic director Dennis Pilcher made the decision to hire the Emmetsburg High School graduate.

“It’s really strange to be a college head coach at the same school for 22 seasons,” Twait said. “Dennis Pilcher was the one who took that chance. It was great working under him and Coach Sandquist. I’ve been under great administration with President (Dr. Robert) Paxton and President (Dan) Kinney. I can’t thank them and Tom Beneke enough.”

The idea of retirement was first kicked around last year by Twait.

“I approached the idea — that if this happened or that happened I would consider it,” Twait said. “With Coach Sandquist taking early retirement, I think it probably came a year or two sooner than I had envisioned. But the timing is right.”

In his tenure with the Tritons, Twait led the Tritons to 16 bowl games. They won 11 postseason games. Twait’s 140 career wins ranks 23rd on the NJCAA national coaching list, and third among active coaches.

Twait has led many future Div. I and even NFL players, but his most special season may have been when he coached his oldest son, Kyle.

“I think we had a bunch of quarterbacks that year,” Twait said. “Our starter got hurt and Kyle came in and he had a tremendous year. He was named MVP of the bowl game. That was a special moment for our family.

“Being from Emmetsburg Iowa, you don’t have to be from a big town to be a great player. Kyle, (Manson Northwest Webster’s) Tim (Butcher), (Fort Dodge’s Jontel) Clayton, (St. Edmond’s Vinnie) Harvey … they were all great players and great people.”

Stepping into the new position gives Twait the opportunity to have a hand in hiring his successor.

“It’s a pretty special deal, because I care a lot about the program,” Twait said. “I’m going to be able to assist in the hiring and the development moving forward.

“Whoever does get the job will be afforded a tremendous opportunity to lead this bunch. I’m excited to see who will man the ship. I’m going to be committed to athletics and academics.”

Twait also has two daughters: Kristen and Lauren. His youngest son, Cal, is a junior starting offensive lineman at the University of Northern Iowa.

“Having a little more time and ability to see Cal play (his senior year at UNI in 2018) will be big for me and my family as well,” Twait said. “I’m a very lucky man.”