Detroit, MI—The Detroit Lions have named Marc Lemerand of Hillsdale High School the week nine recipient of the 2019 Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan High School Football Coach of the Week Program. On October 25, the Hornets defeated Dundee 28-11 to improve to 9-0. The Hornets 9-0 record marks the 5th time in school history Hillsdale has been undefeated in the regular season and the 3rd time under Lemerand. Currently, Hillsdale is ranked #4 in Division 6. This Friday, Hillsdale will host a pre-district MHSAA playoff game vs. 6-3 Jonesville, a team they defeated 18-8 in Week #1 of the regular season.
Lemerand is in his 30th year of coaching and his 21st season as head coach at Hillsdale. He has led the Hornets to the MHSAA State Playoffs in 18 of his 21 seasons, having directed Hillsdale to the regional finals in 2005 and 2012 and the state semifinals in 2006. Lemerand's career record is 149-69 (68.3%).
High School Football Coach of the Week Program
Each week throughout the 2019 nine-week 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 his 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, Fox 17/Grand Rapids), James Cook (Traverse City Record-Eagle) and Scott DeCamp (MLive-Muskegon Chronicle).
This season's program will award $22,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan, thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions, the NFL Foundation, presenting partner, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan and associate partner, Gatorade.
Each winning coach during the regular season will receive a $2,000 donation to his school's football program and a Gatorade performance package, compliments of Gatorade. At the conclusion of the 2019 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 $4,000 donation to his school's football program, in addition to the Gatorade performance package. All winners will receive a certificate signed by Lions' head coach Matt Patriciaand National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell, a personalized game ball as well as acknowledgement at the Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on December 15.
Currently in its' 23rd year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $433,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information on the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program, contact Chris Fritzsching, Lions' Director of Football Education, at 313-262-2248.
