Jay Anderson has been a part of the Buena Vista football program for the last 20-plus seasons and is set to begin his 11th year as its head coach in 2016.
Anderson is the second-longest tenured head coach in program history and sits second on its all-time wins list.
Prior to taking over the head coaching reigns in 2006, he spent six seasons as the Beavers' offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator and also served as a graduate assistant coach from 1997-99, working with the defensive backs and wide receivers.
Anderson was tabbed Iowa Conference Coach of the Year in 2008 after guiding the Beavers to a 7-3 record (6-2 IIAC). The Beavers came within one win that year of clinching a share of their first league title since 1978.
In 2014, his team had the toughest strength of schedule in all of Division III for most of the year and went on to end the year with four straight wins to tie for third in the IIAC standings. In 2014, Anderson coached one of the best offensive seasons in the program's history and guided the team to a top-three overall conference finish for the third straight year with a 4-3 mark.
During his tenure, those athletes who have played under him have set more than 20 offensive school records. He's coached 54 all-conference selections and 64 academic all-conference individuals.
Prior to joining the Buena Vista staff, Anderson served as an assistant coach at Simpson College during the 1995 and 1996 seasons. He was the coordinator of the passing game for the 1996 team that went 10-0 during the regular season.
A native of St. Charles, Iowa, Anderson is a graduate of Interstate 35 High School in Truro. He then graduated with a degree in elementary education from Drake University where he was a two-time letter winner on the Bulldog football team. Anderson went on to earn a master's degree in educational administration at Buena Vista.
Anderson is a member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He and his wife, Chelle, live in Storm Lake with their daughter, Hailey, and son, Brennen.
