Duvall resigns as Central football coach
After months of failing to reach an agreement with Davenport Central administrators, Max Duvall announced his resignation as football coach Friday.
Duvall confirmed his suspension for the final two games of the season last fall was the result of the Blue Devils head coach allowing an assistant to coach without proper certification.
Darrick Reaves served as the sophomore coach under Duvall through the bulk of the season. Reaves said he was certified through a course he took the previous summer, but Central never received his transcripts.
Reaves, who now is the equipment manager with the Quad-City Steamwheelers, stepped aside after the error was discovered.
But Duvall said the issue didn’t end with the season.
“My view of it is that because of what happened, my suspension wasn’t enough of a punishment,” he said. “I’ve tried for the last four months to get something done, and we couldn’t work it out.
“I think the whole situation was mishandled from both sides.”
Duvall will remain in his position as a social studies teacher at Central. He also will join the St. Ambrose football staff as an assistant.
Central athletic director Chris Cartee wouldn’t comment on any specifics regarding Duvall’s resignation.
“I think he just had some personal issues and just decided to move on,” Cartee said.
Duvall, 48, spent five seasons coaching special teams and linebackers at Drake University before coming to Central in 2006. He was 3-15 in two seasons with the Devils.
“It’s not my first choice,” Duvall said. “I would dearly love to be the coach at Central next year. We have a lot of support from the parents and the community.”
Cartee said the coaching position would be opened to applicants next week, and the administration aimed to make a hire by the end of the school year. The last day of class is June 6.
Andrew Petersen can be contacted at (563) 383-2288 or apetersen@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qcvarsity.com.