Coach Ball dedicated 29 years of service to wrestling, starting the Aurelia program in 1981, then moving to Jefferson in 1983 as an assistant coach and finally as the head mat coach there starting in 1989-90. He retired after the 2009 season. After two seasons at Aurelia and posting a 5-3 dual record, he went to Jefferson as an assistant to John Kinley and Kevin Neal before assuming the head coaching position starting with the 1989-90 season. In 20 seasons as the Rams' head man he logged an impressive 227-125 dual meet record for a 64.5 winning percentage. In that time he coached 26 individuals to conference championships including 24 in the Raccoon River Conference. He mentored 51 Sectional champions and 106 District qualifiers. He took 50 qualifiers to the State Tournament with 13 earning medal status, including one state Champion - Will Thomsen in 1994. Twice, in 1991 and 1994, his colleagues named him District Coach of-the-Year.