WELLMAN

Pete Cavanagh, who coached Mid-Prairie to its first playoff win 18 years ago and piled up a school-record 123 wins in 20 years, announced Friday that he is resigning as head football coach.

“After much consideration I have decided to resign from my position as head football coach at Mid-Prairie High School,” Cavanagh announced on Twitter. “It has been great 20 years. Love my coaches, players, and community. Go Hawks!”

Cavanagh’s teams posted winning seasons the last four years, including 2021 when his son, quarterback Will Cavanagh, played his final senior season for the Golden Hawks, nearly winning a district championship and then winning a River Valley Conference championship in basketball.

Pete Cavanagh is the only 20-year head football coach in Mid-Prairie history. He led the Golden Hawks to a school-record 10 wins in 2008 and defeated Iowa City Regina in the state round of 16.

"I have really enjoyed coaching football at Mid-Prairie," Cavanagh told The News. "The players have been awesome. A blue-collar work ethic and strong character makes any coach's job easier. Also, our staff over the years has been top notch."

The 2012 and 2013 Golden Hawk teams won 17 of 22 games, following up the 18-5 record posted by the 2008 and 2009 teams.

The Golden Hawks won six of 10 games this past season, defeating Northeast in the 2A playoffs and then losing to district champion and state finalist Williamsburg.

Cavanagh was promoted from assistant coach to head coach in 2003 and the Golden Hawks won five games that year, beginning a stretch of four consecutive winning seasons.

Cavanagh, who is a social studies teacher at Mid-Prairie, also thanked his wife, Erin, a teacher at Mid-Prairie, "for supporting me through it all."

“My hero and role model!” Will Cavanagh, who is now a freshman at Central College, said on Twitter. “Congrats for an amazing run and thank you for all the memories.”

This story was updated March 12. See more details in the March 16 News.