Detroit, MI - The Detroit Lions have named Robin Marttila of Iron Mountain High School the week eight recipient of the 2024 High School Football Coach of the Week Program. Marttila's Mountaineers defeated Western Peninsula Athletic Conference-Iron Division opponent Manistique for the 2nd time this season 42-0 to advance to 8-0 on the season. Iron Mountain is currently ranked No. 2 in Division 8. This Thursday, October 24th, the Mountaineers host 6-2 Negaunee for their final regular season home game in the 54th matchup all-time between these two programs.
Marttila is in his 23rd and final season as a high school football coach at Iron Mountain High School, spending his first 9 seasons as an assistant and the last 14 seasons as head coach. He plans to retire from coaching at the end of the season. The week #8 win vs. Manistique was Marttila's 106th victory in 150 games (70.7%). The 1997 graduate of Iron Mountain has led the Mountaineers to the playoffs in 12 of his 14 seasons and to the state semi-finals three times (2011, 2019 and 2022).
Detroit Lions Football Education sat down with Marttila to discuss his decision to step away from coaching, the strong relationships and bonds he has developed through coaching, the Week #9 game vs. Negaunee, and what being able to coach his son means to him. Marttila 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.
