2026 Metro Detroit High School Football Coaching Shakeups

Macomb County and the Northland Frontier

Macomb Lutheran North has promoted assistant Brad Morris to head coach after Garrett Wenzelburger stepped down to become the school’s principal. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett hired Vincent Phillips Jr., who spent the past seven seasons guiding St. Clair Shores South Lake and Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse. Hamtramck is still searching for a head coach to lead the Mariners, leaving a vacancy for the 2026 campaign.

Further north, the L’Anse Creuse family of schools saw a coaching swap that involves three campuses. Brandon Gennette left Warren Cousino for the Stevenson job, replacing Justin Newcomb. Brent Widdows moved from LCN to Cousino, while Newcomb takes over at Macomb L’Anse Creuse North. Theshifts aim to balance experience with fresh ideas across the trio.

Wayne County Schools Wrangle New Leaders

Detroit Loyola has turned to boys basketball coach and principal Dennis Morey II to replace Tony Blankenship, who led the football program for a single season. The hire brings an instructional background to the Lions, hoping to rebuild quickly.

Detroit Osborn welcomes former Lincoln Park assistant Dennis‑Denero McDonald as the new head coach. The move signals a desire for experienced leadership after the previous tenure. Detroit University Prep Math and Science has yet to name a replacement for Calvin Griggs, who left to take over Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse. Michael Pintar replaces David Mifsud at Brownstown Woodhaven after Mifsud moved to Temperance Bedford. Milton Jones lands at Southgate Anderson after being let go by Westland John Glenn, replacing Bobby Marten, who coached the Titans for three seasons.

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep promoted assistant Jason Whalen after state‑championship coach Pat Fox left for South Marion in Florida, ending a 12‑season run. Mount Clemens appointed Marlon Nabors to succeed John Pittman, who coached the Bathers for just one season. Dearborn hired alumnus Michael Bustamante to replace Matt Giarmo, who stepped down midseason in 2025; Bustamante previously worked under former coach Alex Grignon.

Dearborn Fordson brings in assistant Osama Abulhassan after Mohamed Chaytou coached the Tractors for one season. Hass Beydoun, a former Board of Education member, left that role to become the new coach at Dearborn Heights Crestwood, replacing Mike Grucz. Novi promoted assistant Logan Pawloski after Jim Sparks stepped down to move out of state. The Wayne County cycle continues with a blend of internal promotions and external hires aimed at reviving programs.

Oakland County Coaching reshuffle

Novi’s Logan Pawloski steps into the head coaching role after Jim Sparks relocated out of state. Westland John Glenn hired former Romulus coach Charles Searcy to replace Milton Jones, who was let go after two seasons. Farmington welcomed assistant Kason Dickerson, ending Jason Albrecht’s five‑season tenure. South Lyon East promoted assistant Mark Nowicki after Jacob Topp left for a job out of state; Nowicki spent four of Topp’s five seasons on the staff. White Lake Lakeland brought in Salem assistant Chris Scheffer, replacing Jim Calhoun who retired after 38 years, the last five as the Eagles’ leader. Eastpointe named Edwin McDonald to succeed Aaron Davis, who stepped down after two seasons.

St. Clair, Macomb and Monroe County Moves

Madison Heights Lamphere’s Ray Ostrowski stepped down to take a teaching job at St. Clair Shores Lakeview, prompting the promotion of assistant Hannibal Roda. St. Clair Shores Lake Shore hired longtime youth coach Tony Savage to replace James Rogers, who left after two seasons for an assistant role at Novi Detroit Catholic Central. Warren Mott appointed Roland Thomas to replace longtime coach Tom Milanov. Auburn Hills Avondale’s Bob Meyer departed after three seasons, leading to the hiring of former Farmington and Bowling Green linebacker Isaiah Gourdine. Meanwhile, Meyer accepted the leadership of Waterford Kettering, where Brian Barnes resigned to become athletic director at Madison Heights Bishop Foley. Berkley installed former Taylor assistant Dan Earls to replace Casey Humes after two seasons. Southfield A&T hired Antwon Robinson, replacing former Super Bowl champion Keith McKenzie, who moved to become Farmington’s defensive coordinator.

Waterford, Genesee and Metro Detroit South

Waterford Mott appointed Tra’Jan Seay to succeed Chris Fahr, ending a 14‑season tenure. Melvindale welcomed Chris Merrell, a behavior interventionist at Strong Middle School, replacing James Hill Jr., who coached the Cardinals for two seasons. Romulus hired former Ann Arbor Huron coach Antaiwn Mack to replace Charles Searcy, who left for Westland John Glenn after seven seasons. The influx of new leaders across the region suggests a period of rebuilding and strategic refocus for the 2026 season. All changes are aimed at strengthening programs and aligning coaching philosophies with school goals.