WAUKON - Gene Klinge, a Northeast Iowa coaching icon, underwent heart bypass surgery Wednesday.

Currently in his fifth year guiding the Waukon girls' basketball team, Klinge has been replaced on an interim basis by varsity assistant Andrew Sires. Klinge, the owner of a 907-205 record in 46 seasons, hadn't been feeling well recently, but still coached each of the Indians' first nine games.

"Next thing I knew, (on Monday) they put him in an ambulance for La Crosse (Wis.)," noted Waukon athletic director Bob Wasson.

Sires said Klinge was awake and alert Friday, yet still in some pain.

"What the surgeons told him was everything was good. But it's gonna be a slow recovery," Sires said following Waukon's 57-54 loss to Kee High Friday night.

Klinge, the state's winningest active girls' basketball coach, coached at West Central of Maynard for 41 years, until 1999. He has coached in 14 state tournaments, including 2004, when he led Waukon to a state title.

"Ideally, we'd hope that he gets back sometime this season," said Wasson. "And if not this season, then hopefully he's cleared to coach in the future for us."

Contact Kelly Beaton at (319) 291-1456 or kelly.beaton@wcfcourier.com