IOWA CITY, Ia. — In his all-encompassing send-off as Iowa City Regina's head football coach, Marv Cook wrapped up his final thoughts with one forward-looking line.
"Please know," Cook wrote to current and future Regals, "that I believe in you and I have high expectations that you can and will accomplish great things!"
It's been roughly three months since arguably the most noteworthy offseason Iowa high school football coaching change. The shock of Cook's departure has worn off, as has the chatter that Regina will no longer be a championship-caliber program. The standard is undoubtedly high after winning seven state titles in 14 seasons, but the current Regals are determined to keep meeting those lofty expectations Cook spoke of above.
Two games into this new era piloted by former defensive coordinator-turned program leader Jason Dumont, Regina (2-0) has delivered a promising product that should age well as the 2021 campaign progresses.
"On the Xs and Os side and the way the operation runs on the sidelines and in practice, nothing's changed. And that's nice," Dumont said. "The one thing I did learn from Marv and we're continuing here is I let my coaches coach. Bottom line is I've got a great staff, and they were a great staff when Marv was the head coach. And we're still a great staff. I'd be crazy not to step back and let them do their thing."
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Although Dumont is a familiar and respected voice inside the Regina program, there are certain elements that made this transition more than just an easy handoff.
For one, the defending Class A champion Regals had to replace almost all of their top offensive weapons who carried Regina to its first title since 2015. Gone is southpaw quarterback Ashton Cook, now a walk-on at Iowa State. Out the door is leading wide receiver Alec Wick, now a walk-on at Iowa. All-Iowa running back Theo Kolie graduated as well following a dominant senior year.
Those three piled up more than 6,700 yards and 86 touchdowns last season, en route to a menacing run through Class A's toughest foes. Not an easy situation for any new coach to walk into, even one familiar with Regina's unwavering expectations.
Compounding the offensive conundrum is a situation Dumont watched unfold in front of him twice during his assistant tenure. Under center now is sophomore Gentry Dumont — Jason's son — who continues the Regina dynamic that Marv Cook had to navigate twice. Drew Cook was the Regals' starting quarterback from 2011-14, then younger brother Ashton took over from 2018-20.
Similar to what his predecessor said countless times, Jason Dumont is thrilled to have such a scenario — even if he's still learning how best to conquer it.
"Gentry is handling it great. I'm not doing so well," Jason said with a laugh. "That's usually how it goes, right?"
Take last Friday's 34-6 win over West Liberty, for example. After a first-quarter interception telegraphed right to a West Liberty defender, Jason pulled Gentry for a series in favor of junior Jack Tierney. The ensuing sideline conversation between father and son mixed teaching, critiquing and re-assuring all at once. Longtime offensive coordinator Ed Hinkel finished the talk as the elder Dumont returned to coaching duties.
Gentry came back under center one series later, finishing out a strong night with his father proudly watching. The sophomore quarterback went 13-for-23 for 168 yards and a touchdown, with the scoring hookup coming on a beautiful bomb down the sideline to Blake Chambliss amid heavy pressure.
"I got in Gentry's grill a little bit (Friday), and then Ed came over and said, 'Hey, I got it,'" Jason said. "That's what I need to do, is let coach Hinkel have it. The more I can do that, the better player Gentry will be. I want to make sure it's a great experience for both of us. I'm getting better (at managing the dynamic)."
Aiding the offensive development is a defense that mirrors many of Dumont's most elite units. There's size up front and ball-hawking talent on the back end. Through two weeks against two 2A foes, Regina's defense has surrendered just 333 total yards and 20 total points. The West Liberty rout marked the first time Regina snagged four interceptions in a game since Sept. 29, 2017, against Wilton. Future Division I prospect Jahsiah Galvan cracked the century mark but didn't have a run longer than 16 yards.
Flipping forward reveals a favorable route. An undefeated boost into district play — where Regina gets five winnable games against Mediapolis, Wilton, Louisa-Muscatine, West Branch and Durant — is the best start to a program reset Dumont could ask for.
Whether Regina ends this season the way it did last season, championship trophy in hand amid a midfield UNI-Dome celebration, remains to be seen. But it's clear the robust standard Marv Cook set, and expected to continue, isn't going anywhere.
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 [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @Dargan_Southard.