Beloved Wrestling Coach Bids Farewell to District

After years with the school district, wrestling coach and gym teacher Patrick Hansen is saying farewell to his friends at H-D-CAL. Next year, he’ll be teaching and coaching at Southeast Polk Community School District.

“I truly loved the time I got to spend with the wrestling families here in Hampton,” Hansen said. “They are an incredible bunch. In my heart I’ll always be a bulldog but I don’t want to live my life with regrets and if I didn’t take this job at Southeast Polk I think I would regret that at some point.”

Hansen started coaching in 2012, working his way up from volunteer coaching at the middle school and high school level (for various sports) to finally being named a head wrestling coach for the high schoolers. He’s coached four different sports at the middle school and high school level for H-D-CAL over the last thirteen years.

In the last six seasons, Hansen has helped the high school wrestlers secure 131 dual wins, two conference duals titles, one conference tournament title and two district titles. 

“Despite all of the wins, I’m more excited to see what kind of men our wrestlers turn into,” Hansen said. “The game of life is much more important than any match they will wrestle in high school.”

Hansen has also worked as a physical education teacher for the school district for the last three years. And before that, he worked as a custodian for the district for three years.

High School Principal Matthew Trosky told the Chronicle that the impact Hansen has made has been “undeniable.”

“From youth programs to high school PE and wrestling, he has been a tremendous individual in our building, for both staff and students,” Trosky said. “His passion and energy that he brought daily will be hard to replace. We wish him and his wife the best of luck on their future plans. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog!”

Annie Koch, who serves as the co-president of the school district’s girls’ wrestling booster club, said her son and daughter both had the privilege of wrestling under Coach Hansen’s leadership, and that his support and encouragement had a lasting impact on both of them. 

“Patrick’s passion for the sport of wrestling and for coaching young athletes has been the foundation of a strong and successful wrestling program at H-D-CAL,” she said.  “His greatest gift as a coach is his ability to see each wrestler as a whole person, valuing them both on and off the mat. That support doesn’t end if they choose a different path or once they graduate — Patrick remains in their corner, always ready to celebrate their achievements. Alongside his outstanding leadership of the boys’ wrestling team, he has also been a dedicated supporter of the HD-CAL High School Girls’ Wrestling team during their inaugural season this year.”

Hansen, who was born and raised in the area, recently tied the knot. His wife, Sierra, said she’s excited to stand alongside him on this next journey. 

“Patrick’s dedication and willingness to show up for his students and athletes is one of the many things I love about him,” she said. “From teaching and coaching to umpiring all across north Iowa his biggest joy comes from the connections he’s been able to make with the kids, which is what truly made our decision very difficult. I am so glad to have been a part of the H-D-CAL community and am proud to have started our journey there. I admire Patrick for believing in himself.”