Detroit City Wire

Charlie Gunsell, head coach at Ludington High School, has been named the Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week for week seven of the 2025 season. The recognition comes after Ludington's Orioles defeated Whitehall 32-7 during their Homecoming game, bringing their record to 7-0 for the first time since 1989. This win also marked Gunsell’s 100th career victory and secured at least a share of the West Michigan Conference-Lakes Division title. Ludington is currently ranked ninth in Division 4.

Gunsell is in his 27th year coaching high school football at Ludington and his 22nd and final season as head coach. He has announced that he will step down from his position at the end of this season. Under his leadership, Ludington has reached the playoffs in seven of the last ten seasons.

The Detroit Lions Football Education team interviewed Gunsell about his long tenure, coaching both of his sons, and achieving his milestone win. He learned about his selection as Coach of the Week during an appearance on Head Coach Hangout. The full interview and Gunsell’s reaction can be viewed at www.DetroitLions.com/coachoftheweek.

"Each week throughout the 2025 high school football regular season, one coach that best demonstrates success on 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," according to a statement from the Detroit Lions.

A panel made up of local media members selects each week's winner: 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).

This year’s program will provide $12,000 to support high school football development across Michigan through contributions from the Detroit Lions, NFL Foundation, and Carhartt. Each weekly winning coach receives a $1,000 donation for their school's football program. At season's end, one coach will be named High School Football Coach of the Year with an additional $3,000 donation awarded to their school’s program. All honorees receive certificates signed by Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Now in its 29th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has distributed $515,000 to high school football programs throughout Michigan.

For more information about the program or to contact Chris Fritzsching, Executive Director of Football Education for the Lions, email chris.fritzsching@lions.nfl.net.