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Garrigan’s Wadle going into Hall of Fame

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Marty Wadle has been Bishop Garrigan’s head football coach for the last 31 seasons. Wadle is part of the IFCA’s 2023 Hall of Fame class.

Legendary Bishop Garrigan head football coach Marty Wadle will be one of five new inductees into the Iowa Football Coaches Association Coaches Hall of Fame on March 4.

Wadle will be joined by Benton’s Kal Goodchild, Dave Wiebers of Denison, Dan Sabers from Iowa City High and Carroll’s Terry Bahlman. The IFCA also announced Gary Swenson from West Des Moines Valley will be the Walt Fiegel Coaching with Character Award winner.

“It is very humbling,” Wadle said. “No. 1, I look at all the coaches on that list that I have coached against or coached me in high school and college and it’s just very humbling.

“It takes a bunch of great kids and great assistants over the last 31 years and I am indebted to those people first and foremost. I have also had incredible support from my family, the people of Algona and the administration (at Garrigan).”

For the last 31 years, Wadle has directed the Golden Bear program to 216 wins and nine district titles, as well as 19 playoff appearances and three state runner-up finishes.

Bishop Garrigan had one of its most successful runs from 2015-18, winning 36 consecutive regular season games at one point and placing second in 2016.

Wadle served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, West Des Moines Dowling, for two seasons while finishing his studies at Simpson College. He was hired in 1992 at Garrigan, where he’s been ever since.

“You have to have a love for the school and what you do,” Wadle said. “I’ve always believed in Catholic education, as it was a big part of my life at Dowling and we’ve raised our kids in it. Algona is a great place and a great fit.

“There are opportunities every year (to go somewhere else), but I have held up pretty true. I’m happy here and have been happy. I love the school, and the administration always backs me and what we do and our program.”

Even after three decades, Wadle says he “still gets excited to get up every day and get to the weight room early in the morning.”

“I’m enthusiastic about it and always want to go to work,” he said. “You have to love what you do and have love for the kids, the people of Algona and great support for our program.”

Wadle and his wife, Jill, have two children: Reece and Megan.

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