Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

After 40 years Dan Sabers is stepping away from City High football.

Sabers spent 20 seasons as an assistant and the last 20 years as head coach at City High winning 141 games and a state title during his tenure.

“It is with a very grateful heart that I announce that I’m stepping down as the Head Football Coach at Iowa City High School,” Sabers said in a release. “The last 40 years with City High Football has been very special to me and my family with so many very special memories of great plays, hard work, great wins and especially the outstanding relationships amongst players, coaches, parents, and administration.”

Sabers was an assistant and defensive coordinator for legendary coach Larry Brown for 20 seasons before taking over the head coaching duties in 2001.

He led City High to the playoffs 14 times as head coach including 10 consecutive appearances from 2004 to 2013.

Sabers coached the Little Hawks in three state title games, winning the Class 4A crown in 2009 to cap an unbeaten 14-0 season.

City High remains the last Eastern Iowa program to win the 4A title.

Sabers was named Mississippi Valley Conference or district coach of the year seven times as a head coach, most recently in 2015 when he directed the Little Hawks to an 8-3 season.

Sabers was a part of 298 victories during his incredible 40-year run on the sidelines at City High a stretch that saw him coach in seven state title games winning four titles.

He coached in 47 City High playoff victories including 23 as a head coach and directed the Little Hawks to a conference record 33 consecutive MVC wins from 2007 to 2011.

“There are too many people to thank all of them that have helped me throughout this amazing journey, but certainly my wife and my family have always been there, and my mentor from my first day on at City High, Larry Brown,” Sabers said in the release. “I love the great game of football and will continue to do what I can to help promote the game and the outstanding benefits to those who play it. I plan on continuing to teach because it is such a great and rewarding profession.”

City High finished 2-4 this season, falling to West High 35-7 in the second round of the 4A playoffs.

“To the 2021 Little Hawks team, I’m looking forward to watching all of you achieve great things next year,” Sabers wrote in the release. “I was very fortunate in 2001 to have a great group of young men to work with during my first season and I’m happy for the new head coach to have a great group of young men as well.  I have been blessed with an amazing 40 years!”

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