The Cleveland Clipper community mourns the loss of former teacher and football coach Dave Krenik, who passed away at his Le Center home yesterday (Saturday) after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Krenik was the head Clipper football coach from 1982 to 2011, 29 years, making him the longest tenured coach at Cleveland. His team made it to the state tournament in 2007.
“He was the true definition of a players’ coach,” said current Cleveland head coach Erik Hermanson, who assisted Krenik for 17 years. “He loved football at every level and helped foster that passion into his teams.”
One of Krenik’s great strengths was his ability to adapt to the team that he was given, Hermanson said.
“He didn't make the players conform to his idea of a particular offense. Each year, he would evaluate his talent, and that was the style of play that his team would execute."
Krenik went to grade school at Holy Redeemer in Montgomery before transferring to McKinley High School in Le Center. He earned a degree at Winona State University and taught health and PE at Cleveland until his retirement.
He can be remembered for his positive message to students: “The grass is green. The sky is blue. It’s a great day to be a Clipper.”
Krenik was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2017. He continued to attend Cleveland football games when he could, even into last year.
In 2021, with Krenik and many of his former players present, the Cleveland football field was officially designated Dave Krenik Field. (See the article)
Information on services for Dave Krenik
Above: Dave Krenik visits with Blake Lyons (CHS 2025) before the start of a game last year.