Familiar Face Returning to Coach Ram Football This Fall
A familiar face and prominent name in Ralston football is back for another go-round with the Rams.
From 1997 until 2013, Tyler Zahn coached the Ralston football team, guiding the Rams to 13 playoff appearances, including a Class B runner-up finish in 2002.
To be closer to his twin boys, Zahn left for Louisville where he was the head basketball coach for three years before leaving for an assistant coaching position with Omaha Westside football.
Now, he’s back home motivated to build on what he did the first time.
“We had a pretty good run the first time around,” Zahn told The Daily Record. “I didn’t know if the opportunity to come back would present itself, but it did. This is really the only job I would have left Westside for.”
Zahn succeeds Jason Fink, who took over in 2013, bookending his two tenures.
“Coach Fink did a great job bridging the gap between my being gone and coming back,” Zahn said. “The expectations are still there, so we want to keep it rolling that way.”
Zahn believes his time away from Ralston gave him valuable new experiences he hopes to draw on now.
“Any time you’re able to grow, do different things, see how different things are ran and different ideas with the culture aspect and schemes and techniques … the more you can absorb the better off you’ll be.”
Last season is one those who experienced it won’t soon forget. Despite all the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic threw at teams, Zahn had a unique perspective as an assistant with Class A’s best in 2020.
“That was a challenge,” Zahn said. “We were fortunate enough to win a state title, but it was not without its hurdles. Every day we were kind of holding our breaths wondering what was going to happen each day. I think the kids are somewhat relieved and our numbers have been good for our summer stuff. Our kids have been excited to come in and work … and I will say I think normalcy is a big part of that.”
The Rams are coming off a 3-4 record in 2020 in which two scheduled games were canceled.
The Rams will try to qualify for the postseason for the second time since 2013, with their last appearance being a first-round exit to Scottsbluff in 2018.
Ralston Football Schedule
@ Beatrice
Plattsmouth
@ Omaha Bryan
@ York
Elkhorn
@ Elkhorn North
Omaha Skutt Catholic
Blair (Homecoming)
@ Mount Michael Benedictine
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