Legendary West Hancock football coach Bob Sanger dies after leukemia battle

Iowa high school football coaching legend Bob Sanger died Wednesday following a battle with leukemia. Sanger had been the coach at West Hancock for the last 52 years.

His son Kevin confirmed the news on Facebook Wednesday morning. 

"Dad passed away very peacefully about 2:15am this morning at the Britt Hospital," Kevin posted. "Glad we were able to be here with him. Love you dad!"

After taking over the program — then called Britt High School — as a 22-year-old, Sanger racked up 358 wins, seven state championship appearances and three state titles. The last of those came this past season, as West Hancock finished 13-0 and toppled Grundy Center to win the Class A title.

The 2019 season, though, was a tough one for Sanger. His health issues forced a step back in responsibilities, which led to Sanger turning the keys over to his son Mark, a West Hancock assistant coach. Nearly all Eagles supporters had never watched a game without the elder Sanger leading the charge.

Recognition poured in once West Hancock claimed the crown. Sanger was still named the 2019 Class A coach of the year by the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Sanger co-accepted the award with Mark.   

As news of Sanger’s death circulated Wednesday, tributes came pouring in on social media. Members from the West Hancock community and beyond offered their condolences to this football legend.

In 2018, Sanger cracked the Des Moines Register's 50 greatest high school football coaches of all-time. Unsurprisingly, Sanger didn't coach for glory or accolades. 

“Seeing kids work together is rewarding,” Sanger told the Globe Gazette last year. “Developing a team is not an easy thing. You’ve got some kids on the team that might not like each other, but they will play for each other. It’s pretty special.

"... It’s a special place. I’m glad I got an opportunity to be a part of it.”

Dargan Southard covers Iowa and UNI athletics, recruiting and preps for the Des Moines Register, HawkCentral.com and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Email him at msouthard@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.