Steve Milder began the 2020 season seventh in wins among active Iowa high school football coaches, leading teams for 45 years as a head coach. In his tenure at West Central, Maynard, he has coached 16 playoff teams including a state championship squad in 1997 and a 1978 runner-up.
A graduate of Regina, Iowa City and member of their athletic Hall of Fame, he competed in football and baseball while a student at the University of Northern Iowa. Milder has coached four sports at West Central and been active in many school programs.
He has facilitated the Holiday Boost Program to provide Christmas for families in his community for over 25 years. In 2013, he was selected for an Excellence in Mentoring award by the Iowa Mentoring Partnership.
Milder and his wife married nine days before his coaching career began and they remain together through 49 football and 143 total sport seasons. Their sons are Matt and Mark, and they have three grandchildren: Mackenzie, Alexis, and Jace.