Written by Marcus McIntosh
DES MOINES, Iowa —
It is being called a first for Des Moines Public Schools.
Renate Rice is a first-year assistant football coach for Des Moines East High school. She loves football and has the background to prove it.
Rice played for more than a dozen years with the Iowa Crush women's football team.
Her move to coaching was seamless.
"It's an easy transition. Basic skills and drills," said Rice, East HS assistant football coach.
She said it may have taken a day or two for the male football players to get in step with her, but that is in the past.
"Three weeks in, it's just 'Coach Rice,'" Rice said.
Rice has known head coach Tyrone Tyler for some time. He said her hiring is not about a groundbreaking statement.
"We weren't trying to make a statement. We were just looking for a good football coach," said Tyrone Tyler, East High School head football coach.
The East High School Scarlets kick off their 2022 season on Aug. 26.
They are hosting the Roosevelt Rough Riders.