Expectations of traditional Schoolcraft football “incredibly high” under new coaches

Schoolcraft, Mi – In the early nineties Dan Devries adorned the classic purple and golden uniform and played during the Golden era of Schoolcraft football under the direction of three trainers of the Hall of Fame.

For him, nothing is defeated Eagle Football. Now he is hungry to bring it back.

Schoolcraft announced Devrie's at the beginning of this month and was the next football coach of the university football and resigned in December after the resignation of Nathan Ferency to take over a program.

“In my thoughts there was nothing bigger than Schoolcraft football,” said Devries, 48. “We would play Mendon or Constantine, and there would be 3,500 people in the game and the stadium would be completely full. Of course, I now know that football is damn in Texas, but I've always seen it here. The city was emptied and I would like to get more of it, use this past and revive these old times. “

Devries played a close end for Schoolcraft from 1992 to 1995 and was in second place in 1994 and played for Hall of Famer and the three-time state master coach Larry Ledlow. He was also trained by Hall of Famers Ted Manning and Terry Haas in Schoolcraft during his game days.

“It is one of the reasons why I train today – these boys had such a big impact on who I became a guide and man,” said Devries. “A lot of what I could do in my life, I really rewrite the lessons they have learned. On the field I had the opportunity to be part of some great teams and have good luck.

“It was very formative for me to be part of some rather dominant teams, and it was fun to be part of it.”

After graduating in Schoolcraft in 1995, Devries visited the West Point of the US Military Academy and became arms officer in the US Army, in which he served from 1999 to 2004.

It served in overseas and was part of the Iraqi Freedom-der Military Operation Operation, which Saddam Hussein removed from power in Iraq.

“It was a big privilege – I got a phenomenal training in West Point, a place that is really known for his leadership training and development and is then able to serve with some really fantastic units in the army, struggles that it was an incredible honor,” said Devries.

Devries then returned to Schoolcraft in 2004 and began a 20-year career at Stryker in Kalamazoo, where he finally became Vice President of Customer Excellence.

But coaching in Schoolcraft was always in his thoughts.

“It is missional for me,” said Devries, who also served two terms as village president of Schoolcraft in the 2010s. “With the phenomenal trainers I played for, I would like to have the same influence on my community. I love this city and blood purple and gold. It is my way to serve the community and serve the children who get through. “

After Devries worked as a filler in 2019, Devries went to Ferscy's employees and assisted at the JV level before becoming 2021 JV coach. Over time, this passion for coaching began to bloom with his Alma Mater.

And the opportunity to be at the top is too good to pass, he said.

“It is surreal in many ways,” said Devries. “It is a big deal to stand in the footsteps of their heroes, and I feel incredibly happy to be at this point and to support the administration and the coaching staff.”

Schoolcraft is fresh from a semi -finalist picture of Division 7, its second appearance in the past five years. The program has won three state championships – 1988, 1989 and 2001 – and Devries feels like a fourth who is realistic during his tenure.

“It is a great group of children and there is an enormous amount of talents here, and chemistry is good,” said Devries about the condition of the program. “I think the expectations are incredibly high. When we derived this state semi -finals, we were not satisfied last year. The children are hungry and we have the expectation that this is a special group and we can take a deep run. “

Devries said that Schoolcraft's plans would not give any “wholesale changes”, but there could be more vertical temporary concepts with the weapons available to him.

“We will have a powerful crime and an aggressive defense,” he said.

Devries led the 2023 JV team from Schoolcraft to an unbeaten season, and with these players, who are now starting university, including his son, the quarterback Jack Devries, he believes that the parts are all present.

However, he knows how important it is to present the program correctly.

“As soon as you have created this school set, you are an Eagle football player for life,” said Devries. “If you put it on for a Friday evening, represent everyone who has come before you have entered this program.

“We have had great success in the past, but that doesn't mean that it will happen in the future if we don't earn it. I will help these children to understand what an incredible responsibility this is and what a great privilege to be part of something that they have this expectation of success. “

That is why it is one of his main goals to fuse the old school with the new school-especially on the rich traditions that know all too well.

“For me it is really fantastic to have a connection between the traditions of the past and to be present with coaching in the future,” said Devries. “It is about honoring these traditions and at the same time creating the path of the future to keep culture alive.”

Devries is ready to lead the Eagles into a new era.

While at the same time the past honor.

“I want to be here,” he said. “This place gave me so much that I am excited to get the opportunity to return football.”