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MHSA(Q&)A: Menominee football coach Ken Hofer

June 28, 2012

By Brian Spencer
Second Half

Ken Hofer has been nothing short of legendary during more than three decades as Menominee’s head football coach -- a tenure that came to an end earlier this month when he announced his retirement.  

In 41 seasons -- including his first two, at Stephenson -- he won three MHSAA championships (1998, 2006, and 2007) and built a record of 342-136-3. He is one of nine coaches in MHSAA football history with at least 300 wins.

He guided more than a thousand athletes, and that influence extended to league rival Kingsford -- where his son Chris Hofer is the football coach. Ken also is known statewide as the guru of the single wing offense, a rarely-used but for the Maroons frequently unstoppable attack that does not utilize a traditional quarterback.

Hofer is a member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association and Upper Peninsula Sports Halls of Fame. He also served as the Menominee athletic director, principal, and assistant principal. He grew up in Stephenson, where he was an all-stater in football and track and field, and later competed in both sports at the University of Wisconsin. 

Did you always want to become a football coach?

I was predicted to be a coach somewhere in our (Stephenson) annual (yearbook). So I suppose I was always predetermined to coach. However, before coaching I was in the service as a Lieutenant and spent two years in Germany. After Germany, I spent another five years working for Wilson Sporting Goods before I finally came back in 1964 to coach football and teach social studies for Stephenson.

How did you decide it was time to hang up the whistle?

Well, I’m 77 years old, so age was definitely a determinant. The biggest factor was that as much as my mind said I could continue, my body said “slow down.” So I guess age and my inability to continually go full throttle and stay energetic helped me make my decision.

In your 45 seasons, what is the most helpful piece of advice you are going to take away?

The best advice I will take away is to treat young people the way I like to be treated. 

What do you plan to do with your free time, now that your schedule has opened up slightly?

I am going to try and catch up on stuff that should have been done a long time ago. I’m sure that my wife will give me plenty of stuff to do, too. I also want to try to travel more and visit my kids.  I now have a grandson who will be playing for Kingsford, so I will become a fan of my grandson’s at his Kingsford games. 

Now that your grandson and son both have affiliations with Kingsford, will you become a Kingsford man?

No (chuckling), I will cheer for my son and grandson, but I will forever be connected with Menominee and Stephenson. 

What was it like to be recognized by both the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association and Upper Peninsula Sports Halls of Fame?

It was like a utopia for coaching. When your peers give that honor it is a pretty special time. As a coach you don’t strive for that kind of accolade; however, it is definitely a special honor to receive. 

What has been, in your opinion, your greatest achievement as Menominee’s head football coach?

My greatest achievement will always be working with younger people; I think that is the most important thing that most coaches would like to have, is the ability to stay young by working with these young men.  You don’t always have to win to have that experience. Winning on the field doesn’t always correlate winning in other aspects of your life. 

What advice can you give aspiring or current coaches who look to share similar successes as a head coach?

The biggest thing is to make sure that you treat the players like you like to be treated. Using that approach will get a great response.

Of your 300-plus career wins, is there any one that you find particularly special?

I always found that whenever I could beat Kingsford when my son was coaching (he said, followed by a bellowing laugh). My son Chris will like that one.

There are so many that I consider to be special. There were a ton of close games, too many to count. Two years ago, we had one of those close games where we played Morley-Stanwood, and won 41-40 in overtime (in a 2010 Regional Final). The young men played very hard. It was very special.

Do you think that your son will follow in your footsteps and coach for 45-plus seasons?

I think Chris has that type of coaching in his blood. He’s struggling physically with a knee injury; however he has a coaching mind that is as strong as ever.  I think he’ll coach until he won’t be able to. 

Negaunee's Kyle Waterman hoists the Jubilee trophy over his head after his team defeated Marquette.

1st & Goal: 2026 Week 1 Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

August 31, 2026

The 2026 Michigan high school football season wasted no time reminding us of the best from a year ago – while hinting as well at what’s potentially to come this fall.

MI Student AidTwo rematches of 2025 MHSAA Finals highlighted the statewide schedule, as Dearborn Divine Child downed Hudsonville Unity Christian again after defeating the Crusaders in last year’s 11-Player Division 4 championship game, and Blanchard Montabella took advantage of another opportunity against Martin, defeating the Clippers after falling to them in 8-Player Division 1 last November.

Those are just two of several results highlighted below as a new season brings as well a new series of “1st & Goal” reports.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Goodrich 10, Frankenmuth 7 Jacob Daggett’s 33-yard field goal with 7:32 remaining was the difference at Michigan Stadium as Goodrich defeated the Eagles by three in their season opener for the second-straight season. The teams were nearly even in total yardage and first downs as well, but the Martians held Frankenmuth scoreless during the second half after the Eagles got on the board first a minute into the second quarter. Click for more from the Saginaw News.

Watch list Cass City 34, Harbor Beach 0 The Red Hawks broke a four-game losing streak against the reigning Division 8 champion Pirates, who hadn’t lost a regular-season game since Week 4 of 2023 and claimed last year’s matchup 42-8.

On the move Grand Blanc 24, Belleville 23 The Bobcats held on with less than a minute to play, stopping the Tigers on a 2-point conversion try to secure the victory. Holly 15, Lapeer 12 Holly is coming off one of its best seasons of late and Lapeer off one of its least successful, but a win over a regular Saginaw Valley League contender is a big deal for the Bronchos regardless. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central 25, Allen Park Cabrini 21 The Panthers started with a significant stride as Cabrini reached the Division 8 Semifinals a year ago.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Dearborn Divine Child 56, Hudsonville Unity Christian 28 The victor of this rematch of last season’s Division 4 Final was the same, but the margin significantly different after Divine Child won by just a point at Ford Field in November. Drew Sheridan threw five touchdown passes as the Falcons outscored Unity 29-6 during the fourth quarter.

Watch list North Farmington 14, Birmingham Groves 13 The Raiders have reached the playoffs two straight seasons but most recently fell to Groves 36-3 in their 2023 opener – and Groves reached the Division 2 Semifinals the last two years.

On the move Romeo 17, Rochester Adams 10 Adams had defeated Romeo both on opening night and in a Division 1 Regional Final last season, and in their 2024 opener as well. Detroit Central 12, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 7 Notre Dame Prep is coming off finishing Division 5 runner-up a year ago and kicked off last season with a 55-0 win over the Trail Blazers, who are 1-0 for the first time since 2022 but have strung together 12 straight playoff seasons. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 30, Macomb Dakota 20 Brother Rice avenged last season’s 14-10 loss to the Cougars, jumping out to a 17-point halftime lead and holding on in a matchup of top Metro Detroit teams.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Brighton 49, Dexter 7 The Bulldogs avenged last season’s 50-27 opening loss to Dexter, which went on last fall to finish runner-up in Division 2 but also is replacing a pair of record-setting playmakers among a strong group of graduates. Click for more from the Chelsea Sun Times News.

Watch list Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 25, Hastings 16 The Trojans’ broke a five-game opening-night losing streak against Hastings as they look to build on last year’s first playoff appearance this decade.  

On the move DeWitt 59, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills 21 The Panthers showed they’ve got plenty of offense left after last season’s Division 3 title run, and the defense also locked down a Kenowa Hills attack that could put up big numbers this fall. Pewamo-Westphalia 17, North Muskegon 9 The Pirates ran their winning streak against North Muskegon to four, building on last year’s opening-night and Division 7 District Final wins. Lansing Sexton 33, Lansing Everett 0 Sexton ended a two-year opening-night losing streak against the rival Vikings in a matchup of programs that have both reached the playoffs the last three seasons.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Charlevoix 36, East Jordan 30 Charlevoix trailed 22-6 midway through the second quarter before coming all the way back to run its recent winning streak against East Jordan to 11 going back to 2014. Both teams have made the playoffs every season this decade. Click for more from the Petoskey News-Review.

Watch list Alpena 27, Boyne City 8 The Wildcats entered this season with four wins total over the last six seasons and after losing to Boyne City 18-13 in last year’s opener. But they are off and running after downing a Ramblers team that has made the playoffs every season this decade as well.

On the move Kingsley 22, Reed City 0 The reigning Division 6 runner-up Stags added to last year’s season-opening and Regional Final wins over Reed City. Ogemaw Heights 27, Freeland 14 Ogemaw Heights put its best foot forward coming off last season’s Division 5 Semifinals run with an impressive win over a regular Division 4 playoff team in Freeland. Petoskey 35, Croswell-Lexington 8 After just missing making the Division 3 playoffs last season, Petoskey is 1-0 for the fourth-straight thanks to a nice win over another regular playoff qualifier in Croswell-Lexington that’s also looking to get back after missing last fall.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Chelsea 29, Harper Woods 20 Chelsea’s Gibby Ichesco ran the first play from scrimmage 72 yards for a touchdown to set the tone as the Bulldogs defeated a Harper Woods team that lost only once last season – in its Division 4 Regional Final to eventual champion Divine Child. Click for more from the Ann Arbor News.

Watch list Saline 39, Rockford 12 This wasn’t necessarily a stunner as Saline won last year’s matchup as well, but the margin is notable as the Hornets seek to add to last year’s run to the Division 1 Regional Finals.

On the move Hudson 56, Hanover-Horton 6 The Tigers lost only once last season, in the Division 8 championship game, and this win likely points to good things this fall as the Comets made the Division 7 Regional Finals in 2025. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 37, Ottawa Lake Whiteford 28 These two small-school powers met for the first time, and SMCC broke away in part with two kickoff return touchdowns. Clinton 43, Olivet 21 This matchup of annual playoff teams was deadlocked 14-14 at halftime but Clinton pulled away in part by outscoring Olivet 21-7 during the fourth quarter.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER St. Joseph 29, Niles 20 These two continued to trade wins for the fourth-straight year, St. Joseph this time avenging its 10-point loss to Niles from a year ago. The Vikings led 14-0 during the second quarter, but Caden LeClear ended up throwing for three touchdowns including two to Nate Schmitt. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list Hartford 60, White Pigeon 0 The numbers alone make this a story; Hartford had been outscored by White Pigeon a combined 108-0 over the last two seasons and didn’t even have a team in 2022 and 2023.

On the move Kalamazoo United 29, Constantine 27 This season opener also was an opener in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and could prove to be one of the most important results in determining the champion this fall. Edwardsburg 55, McBain 20 The Eddies won this opener for the second-straight season as both look to continue playoff streaks and contend for league titles. Paw Paw 13, Big Rapids 7 Paw Paw bounced back from an opening loss to Big Rapids and 0-3 start last year to reach the playoffs and kept things rolling in downing a Cardinals team coming off a Division 4 Regional Finals berth.

A Roseville ball carrier stretches for extra yardage during his team’s 28-8 loss to Davison at the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Negaunee 30, Marquette 28 After last season renewing its 130-year rivalry with Marquette with an eight-point win, Negaunee held off a late Sentinels charge this time to extend its all-time lead in the series to 72-60-11. Both are returning playoff teams. Click for more from Upper Michigan’s Source.

Watch list Kingsford 35, Escanaba 16 These are both returning playoff teams as well, and Kingsford avenged its 2025 opening loss to Escanaba with Western Peninsula Athletic Conference Copper play beginning this week.

On the move Calumet 14, Houghton 7 Although Calumet ran its winning streak over the Gremlins to 12, this was a close one and notable after the Copper Kings won the last two meetings by a combined 75-0. L’Anse 54, West Iron County 6 The West-PAC Iron got underway with this one of two league matchups in Week 1 and L’Anse avenging last year’s nine-point league loss. Gladstone 30, Gwinn 6 Gladstone is 1-0 for the first time since 2023, but there’s good news in Gwinn as well as the Modeltowners are back after not playing a year ago.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Grandville 29, Muskegon 28 (OT) Grandville scored first in overtime and Muskegon answered, but the Big Reds faked an extra point to go for the win and the Bulldogs stopped them as these two played to nearly a stalemate for the second-straight year. Grandville also emerged last season with a 44-40 win. Click for more from the Grand Rapids Press.

Watch list East Grand Rapids 27, Lowell 21 After the Red Arrows won big last year, East Grand Rapids stormed back to claim its fourth victory in this series over the last five seasons, with Tripp Hoekstra scoring on a quarterback keeper during the final minute to give the Pioneers their lead.

On the move Byron Center 41, Hudsonville 20 Two of the Grand Rapids area’s best kicked off against each other for the second-straight season, Byron Center avenging a six-point loss from 2025. Grand Rapids West Catholic 48, Grand Rapids Northview 21 The reigning Division 5 champion Falcons lost only once last season, and they avenged that 11-point defeat with this 27-point win. Zeeland West 46, Cedar Springs 20 These two 2025 playoff teams met after two years off, and West built a 10-point halftime lead before pulling away over the final two quarters.

Bay City Academy senior running back Brody Trudell (32) takes on a pair of defenders during his team’s inaugural game on Thursday, a 20-18 loss to Au Gres-Sims.

8-Player

HEADLINER Blanchard Montabella 62, Martin 12 After falling to Martin 52-8 in last season’s Division 1 championship game, Montabella started this fall with a statement. The Mustangs didn’t throw a pass but ran for 433 yards with Austin Jensen and Josh Agranbright both rushing for four touchdowns. Click for more from the Mount Pleasant Morning Sun.

Watch list Rudyard 22, Onekama 6 The Bulldogs are seeking their first winning season since 2023 and were off to the right start with this win over a Portagers team coming off two straight trips to the Division 2 Semifinals.

On the move Britton Deerfield 38, Pittsford 20 These two have seen each other on opening night and during the playoffs the last two seasons, and the Patriots are up to 5-0 in those matchups. Morrice 28, Brown City 21 Coming off a season during which its two losses were by a combined eight points, Morrice played another close one but on the winning side against another playoff team from last fall. Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 20, Kingston 16 These two combined to go 18-4 a year ago, and this matchup could pick up even more significance as this season progresses.

MHSAA.com's weekly “1st & Goal” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTOS (Top) Negaunee's Kyle Waterman hoists the Jubilee trophy over his head after his team defeated Marquette. (Middle) A Roseville ball carrier stretches for extra yardage during his team’s 28-8 loss to Davison at the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic. (Below) Bay City Academy senior running back Brody Trudell (32) takes on a pair of defenders during his team’s inaugural game on Thursday, a 20-18 loss to Au Gres-Sims. (Negaunee/Marquette photo by Cara Kamps. Davison/Roseville photo by Terry Lyons. Bay City Academy/Au Gres-Sims photo by Kolleth Photo.)