Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Liberty High has found its new football coach.

Former Washington head coach James Harris was announced as the new head football coach at Liberty High on Monday in a social media post by activities director Mike Morrison.

Harris takes over at Liberty High after spending the past three seasons at Washington where he compiled a 21-7 record and directed the Demons to the Class 3A postseason each of the past two seasons.

He replaces Jeff Gordon who stepped down in January after leading the program for the first three varsity seasons in program history.

A Washington graduate, Harris was a member of the football staff at his alma mater since 2012.

He spent time as a freshman and junior varsity coach before taking over as the varsity defensive coordinator.

Washington increased its win total each of the three seasons with Harris as head coach.

After a 6-3 season in 2018, Washington went 7-3 in 2019 and 8-1 last season reaching the 3A playoffs both times.

Washington lost to West Delaware in the 3A postseason this year following an unbeaten regular season.

A graduate of Coe College, Harris has been selected to coach in the 2021 Shrine Bowl and has been recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certifed Strength and Conditioning Specialist.

Harris becomes the second head football coach in Liberty High history after Gordon posted a 12-12 record in three seasons.

Gordon led Liberty High to a 7-3 record and the first playoff appearance in program history in 2019 falling to Solon in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs.

Liberty High went 2-3 in its first season in Class 4A last fall defeating Cedar Rapids Jefferson and City High and falling to Dubuque Hempstead in the opening round of the playoffs.

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