Jeff Dahl, originally from Newfolden MN, Class of 1982 graduate, has had a unique coaching path, with many stops along the way. However, one guarantee is that his name would be known by anyone within a 100 mile - if not 200 mile - radius as one of the best coaches in the area. His passion goes much beyond just the wins, as he really has developed hundreds of lifelong connections, including unique relationships with refs. Jeff lives in Keokuk, Iowa with his wife Donna. Jeff and Donna have been married 37 years, 31 of them in Keokuk, Iowa. They have 2 sons, 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.
His 300th win was on December 2, 2023 after a very nail-biting conference road victory against Payson, Ill. 300 wins sometimes may not seem like a lot - but in the manner Jeff did it, the path is certainly unique. One could definitely argue if he never took a break from high school coaching, he would have surpassed this 10 maybe even 15 years ago. The success can’t go unrecognized however, Jeff has done everything and then more wherever he has been.
His success started when he arrived down in the Tri-State area at Warsaw High School in the early 90s. Winning the IHSA state championship in 1997 back when it was a 2-class system, which is even more impressive. Jeff’s parent’s, Bob & Carol Dahl, Newfolden, were in attendance at that game vs Spring Valley (Hall) in Peoria, Ill at Carver Arena. One of Jeff’s seniors that State-winning year, Billy Heisler, has also been gathering wins, as he recently hit the 200-win milestone of his own coaching career, currently at Leyden High School in Illinois.
Seven seasons at Warsaw (148-48) 3 regional championships and 1 state title in 97. Very impressive for a young coach who was just getting started. Following his initial stint at Warsaw, he served as an assistant coach for 2 seasons at Southeastern Community College (IA) where they had built their name into the powerhouse of Junior College Basketball. In Jeff’s first season for Joe OBrien in 2000, they won the JUCO National Championship. He then took a coaching break while raising his 2 sons and starting his State Farm office before taking the Keokuk, Iowa head boys coaching job in 2008. At Keokuk, Jeff got to coach both of his sons, David and Jonny. He started coaching David’s junior year and then left after Jonny graduated (2015). Jonny Dahl went on to become Keokuk’s all time leading scorer and still is as of today.
You would assume after his kids graduated - he would hang it up, right? False, Jeff then went on to follow his son David in his college coaching career and was an assistant on the same staff at Iowa Wesleyan and then Culver Stockton, each for one season. After his year at Culver Stockton, Jeff returned to Warsaw, Ill to take over the West Hancock Titans, where he is today. West Hancock is a co-op of Warsaw, Ill & Hamilton, Ill.
Wherever Jeff is, success seems to follow. The endless work and hours spent coaching is something that’s not for everyone, but Jeff pours everything he has into it. He has also held many BB camps with his sons, including coming 14 hours up to MCC in Newfolden, where he started his own basketball career under Coach Ron Ueland and staff. Jeff is a great leader for younger coaches and is a spectacular mentor, as he leads by example and also by faith. Being a dedicated Christian is something he takes seriously in everything he does, and it certainly shows as he cares for the players he has much more than just the wins and losses. Currently, the team sits at 16-5 with a lot of potential to have a great post-season this year and beyond. It’s just another puzzle Jeff is putting together and there’s nothing else he would rather be doing.
Records: 148-48 at Warsaw 7 seasons; 110-39 at Keokuk- 6 seasons started in 08-09, left in 2015; 37-27 going into this season at WH going into 4th year. (1 season not included in record due to Covid season)
