Detroit, MI - The Detroit Lions have named Chad Miller of West Branch Ogemaw Heights High School the week five recipient of the 2024 High School Football Coach of the Week Program. Miller's Falcons defeated Jack Pine Conference foe Clare 41-34 to advance to 5-0 for the first time since 2007. Ogemaw Heights is currently ranked No. 8 in Division 5. On Friday, October 4th, the Falcons host their annual Homecoming game against the Midland Bullock Creek Lancers in only the 3rd matchup all-time between these two programs.
Miller is in his 6th season as head coach at Ogemaw Heights where he has compiled a 35-18 (66.0%) record, leading the Falcons to the playoffs in 4 of his 5 full seasons. In the 5 years prior to his arrival, Ogemaw Heights was 6-39. Miller had high school assistant coaching stops at St. Clair High School (7 years) and Algonac High School (2 years) while early on in his coaching career spent time at various Macomb County middle schools and as a volunteer coach in the St. Clair Jr. Football program.
Detroit Lions Football Education sat down with Miller to discuss the week five victory over Clare, the team's transition to a new conference, his thoughts about this week's Homecoming game vs. Midland Bullock Creek and how he's had to adjust his coaching style based on a pre-season injury he experienced while coaching. Miller was also informed of his Coach of the Week selection on Head Coach Hangout. See his reaction and the entire interview by visiting www.DetroitLions.com/coachoftheweek.
High School Football Coach of the Week Program
Each week throughout the 2024 high school football regular season, one coach that best demonstrates success on and off the field, develops players' character, discipline, and football skill in addition to emphasizing player health and safety in their program will be recognized for their commitment to the team, school, and community. The winner is selected by a panel of high school football media members - Mick McCabe (Detroit Free Press), Hugh Bernreuter (Saginaw News), Bret Bakita (WOOD Radio-106.9 FM, 96.1 FM- The Game, Fox 17/Grand Rapids), James Cook (Traverse City Record-Eagle) and Scott DeCamp (DeCamp Creative Solutions).
This season's program will award $12,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan, thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions and the NFL Foundation.
Each winning coach during the regular season will receive a $1,000 donation to his school's football program. At the conclusion of the 2024 Michigan High School Football season, the Lions will also select the High School Football Coach of the Year. This season's Coach of the Year will receive a $3,000 donation to his school's football program. All winners will receive a certificate signed by Lions' head coach Dan Campbell and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Currently in its' 28th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $503,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information on the High School Coach of the Week program, contact Chris Fritzsching, Lions' Executive Director of Football Education, at chris.fritzsching@lions.nfl.net.
