Detroit City Wire

Jordan Hessbrook, head coach of Ithaca High School's football team, has been named the Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week for week four of the 2025 season. The recognition is part of the Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week Program, presented by Carhartt.

Hessbrook's team, the Yellowjackets, recently defeated Carrollton 68-6, bringing their record to 4-0 for the season. Over four games, Ithaca has scored a total of 203 points, averaging 50.8 points per game. The team is currently ranked third in Division 7. On September 26, Ithaca will host Hemlock for its annual Homecoming game, marking the 22nd meeting between the two schools.

Now in his twelfth year coaching at Ithaca and fifth as head coach, Hessbrook has led the Yellowjackets to playoff appearances each season since taking over, including two regional appearances in 2022 and 2023. His overall coaching record stands at 41 wins and 8 losses. As a former student-athlete at Ithaca, Hessbrook was part of teams that won state championships in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Detroit Lions Football Education interviewed Hessbrook about succeeding his uncle as head coach, managing expectations with the current squad, and balancing Homecoming Week activities with game preparation. He learned of his Coach of the Week honor during an appearance on Head Coach Hangout. The full interview can be viewed at www.DetroitLions.com/coachoftheweek.

The Coach of the Week program recognizes one high school football coach each week during the regular season for on-field success and efforts to develop players' character, discipline, skills, and safety. Winners are chosen by a panel of media members: Mick McCabe (retired Detroit Free Press writer), 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).

The program will distribute $12,000 this year to support high school football development across Michigan. Each weekly winner receives a $1,000 donation for their school's football program. At the end of the season, a Coach of the Year will be selected and awarded a $3,000 donation for their program. All honorees receive a certificate signed by Lions head coach Dan Campbell and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program is now in its 29th year and has awarded $515,000 to high school football programs throughout Michigan.

For more information on the program, contact Chris Fritzsching, Executive Director of Football Education for the Detroit Lions.