(Greenfield) Lanny Kliefoth’s path into coaching was unconventional to say the least. Nonetheless he’s had a very successful go of it including over 300 wins in volleyball.
Kliefoth has a vast array of coaching experience, especially in softball and volleyball. The former head coach at Exira (among other stops) is now co-head volleyball coach at Nodaway Valley. When it all started he was in northeast Iowa where he traded in his hard hat for a whistle. “I was working construction in my hometown and we were laid off for the winter. It was before I even started teaching. My principal came over to the house and he just walked in and knew I was laid off from construction so he slapped the contract down and said he’d like me to take over the boys basketball program. That’s how I got started which was kind of a shock, but they knew I was there.”
He’d always assumed he’d get into coaching ever since winning a state championship in baseball during his high school days at MFL. He then went on to a four year career at Upper Iowa. “That was the next logical move for me to help other kids experience the success that I had.”
For Kliefoth the measure of success hasn’t always been wins and losses. “I’ve had some really good teams that I’ve worked with that were .500, but it was so much fun being around them. They worked hard and had a competitive nature. I believe sports are an extension of a lot of life skills like learning how to win and most importantly learning how to lose with class.”
Kliefoth began his career as an AD and a coach at Cresco, Notre Dame and then spent 16 years at Turkey Valley. That’s where he learned of the most important parts of coaching was proving to the kids that you are there for them. “First and foremost they want to know and feel that you actually care about them. It’s not just about their athletic ability, but you are going to try and help them. Yes, I get upset at times coaching, but I’ve always said that I’m never mad at you personally. I might be mad about a play, but that’s never going to change how I feel about you. Kids understand when you care and are really trying to help them.”
Eventually he landed at Exira before moving on to Nodaway Valley. His first seven years in Greenfield were devoid of coaching, but the bug never left him and he got back into it as a volleyball co-head coach last year. “When you are standing their watching it, it is hard not to put the coaching hat on. When I was first asked to get back in I really jumped at it and I’m happy I did.”
He says he’s continuously learned throughout his career and cites coaching icons Terry Heald, Gene Schultz, Darrell Burmeister, Gene Klinge, Tom Petersen among the people he’s soaked up the most from.
Previous Coaches
Eric Maassen, (AHST grad) Sheldon
Jerome Hoegh, Atlantic grad (West Sioux)
Gaylord Schelling, Atlantic and Tri-Center
Chad Klein, Audubon Native (Kuemper Catholic and Boone)
Trevor Gipple, (Griswold grad) SW Valley
Eric Stein (Harlan grad) Iowa Central
Darrell Burmeister, Nodaway Valley
