Detroit, MI - The Detroit Lions have named Matt Swain of Romulus Summit Academy North the week six recipient of the 2024 High School Football Coach of the Week Program. Swain's Dragons defeated Charter School Conference-Gold Division opponent Detroit University Prep Science and Math 48-12 to advance to 5-0 for the first time since 2020 and only the 2nd time in school history. On Saturday, October 12th, the Dragons go on the road to take on Charter School Conference rival Michigan Collegiate High School in the 16th matchup all-time between these two programs.
Swain is in 19th season as a high school football coach and in his 7th season as head coach at Romulus Summit Academy North where he has compiled a 48-18 (75.0%) record, leading the Dragons to the playoffs in 5 of his 6 full seasons. Prior to Swain's arrival, Romulus Summit Academy North was 39-87 (31.0%) all-time. Swain has held assistant coaching positions at Consortium College Prep, Plymouth Salem, Ann Arbor Skyline and Ann Arbor Huron while also spending 2 seasons as the defensive coordinator at Romulus Summit Academy North.
Detroit Lions Football Education sat down with Swain to discuss the program's 5th victory, his thoughts about taking on Michigan Collegiate, a team they have never beaten, and discussed his process of building a culture of success in his time as head coach. Swain 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.
