Eight years after walking away from college coaching Joe Hadachek has returned to the sideline as the head coach at Union High School in LaPorte City. Hadachek had a successful run at Buena Vista in the late 90s but resigned after the 1999 season after just four years on the job to enter private business. He currently runs a nutrition business out of his home and two 24-hour gyms in the community. He was named the Union coach last April.
Hadacheck says it was all about timing as he needed a teaching position to go with the coaching position. The Knights have been competitive over the years but they have not qualified for the playoffs since 1992. He says the situation isn’t completely broke and there are some things they can do to get over the hump.
Hadachek’s return was a successful one as the Knights opened the season with a victory over Vinton-Shellsburg. Hadachek says it was exciting, as he’d been involved in youth football, but being under the lights on Friday night is something special.
Hadacheck likes the potential of his team but the Knights face a difficult district four schedule. He says it’s a tough district with teams that go to the playoffs every year. Hadacheck says if they continue to improve, he’s excited about how they could end up finishing the season. Union hosts Denver Friday night in a non district contest.