Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Lions have announced Tom Alward of Goodrich High School as the 2024 Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Year. Alward's team, the Martians, triumphed over the Niles Vikings with a score of 35-6 to secure the MHSAA Division 4 title, marking the school's first football state championship. The Martians finished their season with a record-breaking 13-game winning streak and a 13-1 overall record.

Alward has been coaching high school football for 47 seasons, spending the last 32 years as head coach at Goodrich High School. During his tenure, he achieved a record of 210-117 and led his team to playoffs on 21 occasions. His teams have won six district championships and two regional titles, reaching the Division 4 state championship game twice in recent years.

Alward began his coaching career in 1977 at Flint Central High School before moving to Burton Bendle and eventually joining Goodrich as an assistant coach. He was also part of the University of Nebraska's national championship team in 1971 and played professionally after being drafted by the New York Jets in 1975.

Alward learned about his award during Head Coach Hangout, which can be viewed on www.DetroitLions.com/coachoftheyear.

The Detroit Lions' program recognizes coaches who demonstrate success both on and off the field while emphasizing player health and safety. Each weekly winner during the regular season received $1,000 for their school's football program. As Coach of the Year, Alward will receive $3,000 for Goodrich's program and is nominated for the Don Shula NFL High School Football Coach of the Year award.

The program concluded its 28th season by awarding $12,000 this year to support high school football in Michigan. Over its history, it has contributed $515,000 statewide.