imag2025

Pella Christian Head Football Coach Rich Kacmarynski was honored as a Top 15 Most Valuable Coach in the country at a special ceremony Monday afternoon.

U.S. Cellular has been sponsoring an online voting contest to recognize coaches for their impact on players and the surrounding community, based on nominations received by fans, coaches, students, or community members.

Kacmarynski said in a speech during an event held in the Vermeer Auditorium that he feels the award represents what Pella Christian stands for.

“I’m humbled to be up here, thankful, I’m a little bit embarrassed, but most of all, I feel great support, so I want to thank all of you for that and all your parents,” he said.

Brad Jungling has worked with Rich as an assistant coach, and his two sons Levi and Daniel are members of this year’s district championship team. Brad tells KNIA/KRLS he thinks the world of Kacmarynski, and is grateful for all Coach Kac does for student athletes in the football program.

“He just has a huge heart for the kids,” Jungling says. “He cares about them, he loves them, and teaches them way more than football, and his belief is football is kind of secondary, so if we win games, that’s icing on the cake.”

“I just love being associated with him, working with him, having my kids playing for him, and to call him a friend.”

U.S. Cellular gave Pella Christian High School $1000 for the recognition. Voting is open to select the final top coaches in the Most Valuable Coach challenge at TheMostValuableCoach.com. Each winning coach will receive $5,000 for their school and be recognized on the field at the Under Armour High All-America High School Football Game on Jan. 1.

Kacmarynski joins coaches in Iowa, California, Illinois, Maryland, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wisconsin in the final 15.