Dennis RoloffDennis Roloff loves to coach, which is why he's accepted an offer to keep coaching the Cedar Rapids Kennedy girls basketball program for at least several more years.

Roloff, 57, is taking early retirement from Cedar Rapids Community Schools as a teacher, but he'll be back for his 21st year with the girls basketball team next season and has made a commitment for more years after that.

Roloff also coaches the boys track program at Kennedy, but no decisions have been made about his future in that sport.

Aaron Stecker, the activities director at Kennedy, told Roloff he wanted a multi-year commitment to girls basketball.

"That happened Friday," said Roloff. "He called me in and wanted to get it taken care of.

"He just doesn't want a one-year deal to see if I liked it or not, or if it could work for me. This is a great opportunity for him this year to hire a teacher and a coach at the school, because we'll have so many openings. I didn't blame him.

"If I can hang in there and keep going, that would be great. I don't want to leave him (Stecker) high and dry, either. It's all about the program. It's not about me. I enjoy coaching and I want that to be part of it."

Roloff has compiled a 301-155 record in 20 years as the girls basketball coach. He's taking early retirement as a teacher to capitalize on an early retirement package being offered by the school district this year, but he's not ready to stop coaching.

"I'm not so sure about retiring yet, but everybody I've talked to says they love it," he remarked. "I was afraid of everything that was happening with our economy and with cutbacks of programs that they have here, and plus the $25,000 incentive (to take early retirement).

"I don't want to take that chance of missing out on that, plus 10 years of health insurance (another inducement) ... that speaks a lot right there. In other districts, they get a pat on the back or they'll have two years of health insurance after they retire.

"I'm too young to do it (retire), but at least I'll have something to do in the winter and stay active in the summer," he said. "I think this will all work out."