Grand Rapids Public Schools issued the following announcement on April 30.
Grand Rapids Public Schools announced today that championship-winning coach, Don Fellows, will lead the Union High School football program.
Fellows comes to Union High School with extensive experience coaching at the high school and collegiate levels, including his most recent position as head coach of the Grand Rapids Christian High School (GRCHS) varsity football program where he led the team to a state championship win in 2012 and posted the winningest record of all time at GRCHS.
“This is a game-changer for Union High School football and the district’s varsity football program as a whole,” said Dr. Ronald Gorman, Interim Superintendent. “After years of winless seasons, we knew that in order to transform the Union High football program, we needed the best, most talented coach to lead the team — and we believe we have just that with Coach Fellows.”
Coach Fellows, a two-time NAIA All-American quarterback for Huron University, worked as an Assistant Coach for Lapeer West High School, Traverse City West High School, and Muskegon High School. He served as head coach for Mesick High School, Mona Shores High School, and Grand Rapids Christian High School. At the collegiate level, he was the offensive coordinator for Los Angeles Valley College, and running back coach, offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and assistant head coach for College of the Canyons. His overall head coaching record is 92-54, including the aforementioned state championship in 2012, ten straight playoff appearances, and four OK Conference Titles during his tenure at Grand Rapids Christian High.
“I want to thank the GRPS administration for the opportunity to lead the Union High School football program,” said Coach Don Fellows. “My staff and I are excited to work with the players and community to build an elite program in West Michigan.”
The hiring of Coach Fellows comes on the heels of several winless seasons for the Union High varsity football team and is part of a broader effort by the district to strengthen and restore the varsity football programs.
“We have remarkably talented athletes with the heart, passion, and drive to win football games,” said Kurt Johnson, Executive Director of Athletics. “Now, we have a coach with a proven track record of not just winning games and developing student-athletes, but also rallying students, parents, and the community to support our team.”
Coach Fellows officially accepted the head coach position in mid-March, just before Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order went into effect closing schools. The district and Coach Fellows both agreed that the focus needed to be on the development and launch of the Continuity of Learning Plan and waited until now to make the formal announcement.
“Union High School has a dynamic team of teachers, leaders, and support staff who have significantly improved academic achievement and increased graduation rates by more than 50% over the last few years,” said Aaron Roussey, Principal of Union High School. “We welcome Coach Fellows to the Redhawk family and look forward to him being part of the Union High success story working with students on and off the field.”
Original source can be found here.
Source: Grand Rapids Public Schools
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