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McCook High announces new football coach
McCOOK, Neb. — McCook High officials announce assistant football coach and teacher Joe Vetrovsky will be the Bison football team's new head coach.
Vetrovsky has assisted with the program for seven seasons after graduating from Doane College in Crete with his Master's Degree in K-12 Special Eduation. The 2009 McCook High grad lettered three seasons on Doane College's football team.
He takes over the Bison from long-time coach Jeff Gross, who won more than 200 games and two Class B state football titles in his 21 seasons.
Gross remains the principal at McCook High School.
"Simply put, Joe Vetrovsky is the right man for the job," Gross stated today. "His dedication and commitment to the students at McCook High School are second to none. His work ethic and leadership will McCook Bison football will remain a point of pride for our school and community."
Vetrovsky was Class B All-State football first team as on offensive lineman who went on to play in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl. He was a team captain and eventual gold medal graduate.
Vetrovsky also lettered four years of golf at McCook High where he has directed the boys' program during these past three seasons.
At Doane, J.V. became an NAIA School Athlete and team captain again for the Tigers. He reached the 2013 GPAC All-Conference second team and earned CoSIDA Capital One All-American honors.
Vetrovsky student taught in the Crete school system and Arlington publications before returning to his home town.
"I was fortunate to find my way back to McCook in 2014 when I accepted employment with the McCook Public Schools," Vetrovsky remarked. "I am very blessed. The people of McCook are what makes this place so special."
Vetrovsky has workedseveral roles on the football staff including inside linebackers coach, long and short snappers coach, co-offensive line coach and running back-fullbacks coach before become co-defensive coordinator in 2019.
He was defensive coordinator in 2020 of a Bison defense that ranked among Class B's best once again. The Bison only allowed more than 14 points twice during their recent 7-2, state-qualifying season.
"It has been a privilege to work alongside and learn under coach Gross, former defensive coordinator Russ Schlager, former assistant coach John Gumb, former assistant Chad Lyons along with many others during the past seven seasons," Vetrovsky said. "I embrace the expectations and responsibility that comes along with leading the McCook football program and carrying on the Bison tradition. Athletics for our students in McCook extend far beyond the playing field. The life lessons that can be learned through athletics, I know, can set up our youth for success in their futures."
Vetrovsky also serves as a Teammates mentor and directs the well-known McCook Football League for youths during summer months.
More will be included next week in the Gazette.