Coaches

Wayland softball coach Cheri Ritz works with Laney Wolf – also an all-state swimmer – on bunting during practice this spring.

Competitive Fire Always Burning as Wayland's Ritz Climbs All-Time Coaching Wins List

Posted: 5/9/2025

Clockwise from the top left: (1) Manny Schmidt (standing, second from left) coaches the Lapeer White Junior High girls basketball team. (2) Schmidt, top middle, takes a photo with Lapeer’s boys track & field team last spring. (3) Schmidt, left, has coached three of his grandchildren including Morgan Turk. (4) Schmidt, far left, takes a photo with the 2011 Lapeer East cross country teams. (5) Schmidt, standing far right, coaches Michelle Brundage during the 1991 Meet of Champions.

'Lapeer Through and Through,' Schmidt Surpasses Half-Century in Coaching

Posted: 4/2/2025

Vicksburg girls tennis coach Warner Offord Jr. talks with his team at the start of this spring season.

Vicksburg's Offord Jr. Beginning 50th, Final Season Coaching Teams to Net Gains

Posted: 3/26/2025

Chris Hodos (left of scorer’s table) coaches his Pittsford girls basketball team this season.

With Hodos Again Showing the Way, Pittsford Primed for Another Title Chase

Posted: 2/26/2025

East Grand Rapids hockey coach Chris Newton instructs his team during a practice.

EGR's Newton Returns to Rink Amid Speedy Recovery from Double Lung Transplant

Posted: 1/22/2025

Kalamazoo Eagles coach JD Kalleward talks strategy with Gull Lake seniors (from left) Hank Livingston, Evan Kares and Carter Dominowski.

Multi-Sport Coach Kalleward Molds Multi-School Eagles Into Formidable Foe

Posted: 1/21/2025

Surrounded by celebrating players and assistant coaches (including the author, far right), Tri-unity boys basketball coach Mark Keeler (hand in pocket) enjoys a moment near the end of last season’s Division 4 championship game.

Keeler Approaching Milestone Win Amid Final Season of Legendary Tri-unity Career

Posted: 12/18/2024

Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central head volleyball coach Kim Windham, right, and assistant coach/husband Randy hold the program’s latest championship trophy.

SMCC's Windhams Agree to Coach Together - 'Us or Nothing' - Then Win It All

Posted: 11/26/2024

Clockwise from top left: (1) Former Ypsilanti Community and current Wayne Memorial boys basketball coach Steve Brooks (far right) celebrates with a trophy-winning team. (2) Brighton girls lacrosse coach Ashton Peters raises the Division 1 championship trophy in the spring. (3) Pontiac Notre Dame Prep volleyball coach Betty Wroubel applauds during pre-match introductions. (4) Trenton baseball coach Todd Szalka (middle) huddles on the mound during last season's Division 2 Semifinals. (5) Past Calumet athletic

Century of School Sports: Connection at Heart of Coaches Advancement Program

Posted: 11/19/2024

Rochester Adams soccer coach Josh Hickey shows the Division 1 championship trophy after his boys team defeated Byron Center on Nov. 2 at Grand Ledge High School.

Hickey Joins Notable Coaching Crew as Adams Completes 2024 Soccer Sweep

Posted: 11/14/2024

Port Huron Northern football coach Larry Roelens, middle, is surrounded by his kneeling players during a postgame huddle.

Rebuilt Culture Driving Success as Roelens Steps Away at Port Huron Northern

Posted: 11/13/2024

Newaygo varsity football coach Ralph Munger, right, talks things over with his senior quarterback Blake Kerr during a 53-26 win over Lake Odessa Lakewood on Oct. 18 at Central Michigan’s Kelly-Shorts Stadium.

Back to Building Boys Into Men, Munger Bringing Newfound Success to Newaygo

Posted: 11/6/2024

Zeeland West football coach John Shillito, right, receives the Division 4 championship trophy from MHSAA Representative Council member Orlando Medina in 2015 at Ford Field.

Process, Relationships Still Matter Most as 4-Time Champ Shillito Coaches 41st Season

Posted: 10/18/2024

Longtime coach Don Lukens, far left, is pictured during the 2015 LP Cross Country Finals with past Traverse City Central runner John Steen (center) and Trojans coach Bob Lober, with Jane and Jack Steen standings in front. Jane and Jack Steen are current Traverse City Central runners.

Longtime Coach Lukens Remembered for Building Champions, Changing Lives

Posted: 9/27/2024

At left, Jordan Walker stands with her class on the Breslin Center floor during the 2017 MHSAA/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete Awards ceremony, and at right in 2023 after receiving her second master's degree from University of Tennessee.

Shores Star Walker Continues Drive for Hoops Greatness as College Coach

Posted: 8/8/2024

Robichaud's Wheatley Inducted Into NFHS Hall of Fame, Speaks for Class of 2024

Posted: 8/1/2024

At left, Southfield-Lathrup’s Jareica Hughes drives to the basket against Detroit Martin Luther King during the 2005 Class A Final; at right, Hughes coaches this past season at UTEP.

High School 'Hoop Squad' Close to Heart as Hughes Continues Coaching Climb

Posted: 7/11/2024

NHSACA

3 Receive National Honors from NHSACA, Coaching Pair Named to Hall of Fame

Posted: 7/11/2024

At left, Mendon’s CJ Nightingale (2) celebrates during his team’s 2007 championship win over Traverse City St. Francis at Ford Field; at right Nightingale is pictured with his wife Shanel and children Charlotte, Trey and Coco.

Nightingale Embarking on 1st Season as College Football Head Coach

Posted: 7/10/2024

The Wyoming Tri-unity Christian bench, including the author (far right) and head coach Mark Keeler (middle), celebrate a 3-pointer late in the Defenders’ Division 4 championship win over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.

Championship Experience from Coach's Point of View Unimaginable, Unforgettable

Posted: 4/4/2024

Jason Bradford, kneeling, coaches the Maple City Glen Lake boys varsity after taking over the program earlier this season.

After Leading Glen Lake Girls to Title, Bradford Brings Boys Into Final Week

Posted: 3/15/2024

Beaverton boys basketball coach Roy Johnston kisses the court that bears his name during a celebration of his retirement Feb. 23.

Johnston Retires as Winningest Coach, Much More to Beaverton Dream He Built

Posted: 3/15/2024

Bloomfield Hills Marian coach Mary Cicerone, left, huddles with her team during an MHSAA Finals weekend, and Ann Arbor Pioneer athletic director Eve Claar welcomes John and Jim Harbaugh into the Ann Arbor Pioneer Hall of Fame.

Record-Setting Coach, Championship Program Leader Selected for 2024 WISL Awards

Posted: 1/23/2024

NFHS Coaches Association

Michigan Leaders in 3 Sports Earn National Honors from NFHS Coaches Association

Posted: 1/16/2024

Genesee Generals hockey coach Doug Towler, far right, celebrates his record 630th win with family Dec. 23.

Career Wins Record Reflection of Towler's Dedication to Genesee County HS Hockey

Posted: 1/10/2024

Carrollton boys basketball coach Ron Vondette instructs his team.

Carrollton Dedicating Basketball Court to Longtime Coach Vondette

Posted: 12/19/2023

Sammy Stewart’s hand is raised in victory after the Manchester standout won his championship match at the Individual Finals in March.

Longtime Coach Vlcek has Manchester On Pace to Contend in D4 Title Race

Posted: 12/19/2023

Doug and Dorene Ingalls, far left and right, respectively, take a photo with 2003 Miss Basketball Krista Clement.

Ingalls Tops 500 Career Wins Leading St. Ignace Girls Hoops Program

Posted: 12/8/2023

Kingsley students support their classmates during Saturday’s Division 6 Final at Ford Field.

Football Title Reflects Kingsley's Current Success, Recalls Loved Ones Passed

Posted: 12/1/2023

From left: St. Clair’s Larry Wawryzniak, Liam Nesbitt and Peyton Ellis, Denny White’s wife Karen White, and Marysville’s Bryce Smith, Carter Saccucci and Caz Carty stand with the first-year traveling trophy celebrating Denny White’s coaching career.

Marysville, St. Clair Join Together to Honor Beloved Coach with Rivalry Trophy

Posted: 10/11/2023

Michigan State Police Lt. Tedric Gibbs, left, serves as an assistant football coach for the Jackson High varsity.

From MSP Post to Postgame: Lieutenants Return to the (Football) Field

Posted: 9/27/2023

Battle Creek St. Philip coach Vicky Groat steps on the court to receive her team's Division 4 championship trophy in 2021, and Midland's Eric Albright (far right) confers with his pitcher during the 2018 Division 1 Semifinals.

2023 Bush Award Honorees Groat, Albright, Show Dedication in Multiple Roles

Posted: 8/3/2023

Brent Gates appears on the USA Baseball collegiate national team in 1989 and makes a pitching change during this spring’s Division 2 Final.

Vast Experience Shapes Retired MLB-er Gates Into 3-Time Finals-Winning Coach

Posted: 8/1/2023

Lindsey Banktson plays at Portland in 2008 and stands for a celebratory photo with Frankfort’s District champion last season. Presley Kreski plays for Wayland in 2014 and coaches Frankfort this summer.

Frankfort Hoops Staff Bolstered by Past Stars Giving Back in Banktson, Kreski

Posted: 7/18/2023

Retired Blissfield baseball coach Larry Tuttle coaches third base during the June. 26 Lenawee County All-Star Game.

Baseball Remains Front of Tuttle's Mind, Close to Retired Coach's Heart

Posted: 6/29/2023

Leland coach Laurie Glass confers with one of her players during the 2019 Division 4 Final at Kellogg Arena.

2023 WISL Award Honoree Glass Continuing to Create Leaders On Court & Off

Posted: 3/2/2023

Westland John Glenn coach Bill Polk holds up a banner honoring his 500th victory.

Westland John Glenn's Polk Passes 500 Coaching Wins, Looks Forward to Future

Posted: 2/21/2023

Hudsonville Unity Christian boys basketball coach Scott Soodsma stands in front of a portion of the school’s trophy case, which he’s helped fill over decades coaching basketball.

Energy, Competition, Moments & More Continue to Spark Unity Coach Soodsma

Posted: 2/15/2023

Father Matt, left, and son Derek Seidl are leading undefeated boys basketball teams this season at Olivet and Napoleon, respectively.

Father & Son Seidl Have Much to Discuss, Notes to Compare From Perfect Starts

Posted: 2/7/2023

NFHS Coaches Association

Kent City's Evers Selected for NFHS National 'Coach of the Year' Honor

Posted: 1/11/2023

Sandusky girls basketball coach Al DeMott stands alongside his current team after they helped him break the MHSAA record for girls basketball victories Friday at Unionville-Sebewaing.

DeMott's Long-Revered Legacy Grows to Include All-Time Wins Record

Posted: 1/11/2023

Trenton wrestling coach Tom Bluhm directs Connor Charping during the 2016 Individual Finals.

Bluhm Continues Building on Trenton Tradition in 5th Decade as Coach

Posted: 12/22/2022

Recently-retired Alpena soccer coach Tim Storch, left, talks things over with one of his players.

Storch Returns to Retirement After Elevating Alpena Teams From Cellar to Contenders

Posted: 12/16/2022

Samantha Koehler, middle, is taking over the Rochester High competitive cheer program this season.

Koehler Gives State Power Rochester Another Championship-Caliber Leader

Posted: 12/8/2022

Wayland softball coach Cheri Ritz, front right, accepts the Division 2 championship trophy in 2015.

COMMENTARY: Public Act 184 a Real Loser for School Sports in Michigan

Posted: 10/20/2022

The Mattawan boys soccer team celebrates its Division 2 championship won in 2016.

Mattawan Commended Nationally for Athletic Program's Excellence

Posted: 9/15/2022

North Branch coach Jeremy Ferman and Almont junior Bryce Ferman hug after last year’s matchup between their teams.

Football Helped Bond Father & Son, But Fermans Will Meet As Rivals 1 More Time

Posted: 9/14/2022

Cassie Haut, middle, talks with her Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central team last season as co-varsity coach with Karen O’Brien, right.

2-Time Champ as Player, Haut Putting Further Imprint on SMCC as Coach

Posted: 8/16/2022