Muskets’ Marriott named head coach

JON DYKSTRA/DAILY FORUM
North-West Nodaway coach Cody Marriott, left, looks downfield as junior quarterback Korbin Koch prepares to pass during Thursday’s practice in Hopkins, Missouri.

HOPKINS, Mo. — The North-West Nodaway Muskets will be entering the season with their third different head coach in the past three years, but Cody Marriott offers his team a familiar face on the sidelines at least.

Marriott officially was promoted from his role as offensive coordinator under Terry Clark last season to the head coaching spot this year after the former Peru State College head coach moved back to Nebraska for a teaching job.

“It has been a smooth transition for me,” Marriott said. “I was the offensive coordinator last year so I know a lot of the guys pretty well and then the younger guys that didn’t play for us last year, I either had in class or I went and watched the junior high play last season. As far as knowing everybody and having the kids buy in, it has been a pretty smooth transition for me.”

Marriott was just named the head coach last Friday, but he has been working with the team prior to that, assuming Clark’s duties on an interim basis until an official announcement could be made. He is entering his second year teaching physical education and health at North Nodaway.

“We’ve hit the ground running,” Marriott said. “We have done a lot in the few short weeks we’ve been working.”

The fact that Marriott was on the staff last year provides junior quarterback Korbin Koch with some relief after he underwent a major change in offensive philosophy from his freshman year under Andrew Webster and Scott Reeves’ high-flying, air-raid offense to Clark and Marriott more conservative scheme this past year.

“This year is a different coach, but it is the same offensive plays and everything so it should be easier to get the offense rolling early on.

“I’m a lot more comfortable this year after we kept a coach for couple years and we are building that trust and connection,” Koch said.

Marriott, who graduated from Glenwood High School in Glenwood, Iowa, is very happy to have an experienced signal-caller like Koch back to help him direct the offense. Koch threw for 819 yards last season and nine touchdowns.

“He is another coach out there for me,” Marriott said. “If I am drawing up a play, before I even finish it, he is saying ‘Coach, lets try this.’ We are always on the same page. He is just out there making sure that if anyone has any questions in the huddle, he is another coach out there making sure everyone always knows what they are doing out there.”

North-West Nodaway is looking for an improved season this year after finishing with just two wins a year ago as they shifted from a Webster and Reeves’ system led by All-State quarterback Koby Reynolds.

Marriott has a pair of first-year assistant coaches with Michael Goff taking over as the defensive coordinator and Tony Christian running the special teams.

“I have a great staff,” Marriott said.

The Muskets open the season next Friday at home against Stewartsville.