Former Iowa and NFL Tight End Hired by Iowa City Liberty

The Iowa City Liberty football program can now say they have a former NFL player leading its high school football program.

Scott Chandler spent seven seasons playing in the NFL. He suited up at tight end for the Chargers, Cowboys, Patriots, and Bills. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that he played in 90 NFL games and caught 21 touchdowns, most of them while wearing a Buffalo Bills uniform. His last season was spent in New England where knee problems finally caught up to him. Chandler told the Gazette that his last year was tough physically and mentally and said that he eventually, "needed some time away."

The Gazette reports that during that time away, he watched several documentaries about coaching and Chandler said that he knew he needed to do something with all the football knowledge. He became the offensive coordinator for Iowa City Liberty and served in that position for the past three seasons. Pending board approval, he'll become the next head coach, replacing James Harris who resigned, according to the Gazette.

The Liberty went 4-5 during the 2023 season, its first year playing in class 5A, according to the Gazette. Chandler stated that he wants to continue the momentum that coach Harris created and "continue building off that." He stated that Liberty has great coaches and a great group of kids.

The Gazette reports that Chandler's wife is from Olewein, and the couple has four kids. Being close to family was a big reason they moved back to Iowa after his playing career was over.

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