The 2026 Greater Lansing high school football season is ushering in a wave of new leadership, with eight head coaches set to take the helm of local programs.
Five of these appointments are within the CAAC, while two belong to the CMAC, signaling a concentrated effort to reshape competition across both leagues.
Notable Returns and Debuts
Among the most anticipated returns is Hall of Fame coach Dan Boggan, who is coming back to lead Eastern after a storied career at Sexton. His arrival follows the departure of Jordan Morgan, who compiled a 2‑7 record in 2025.
Rick Fritz makes his head‑coaching debut at Bath, stepping into a program that finished 4‑5 a year ago under Shane Lorenz. Meanwhile, Jeff Hancock brings college‑level experience to Dansville, replacing Wayne Dismuke, who posted a 1‑7 record.
Reviving Struggling Programs
The pressure is especially high at Ionia, where a winless 0‑9 campaign in 2025 has prompted the school to hire Nate Hawley, a coach with experience at every high school level. At Holt, Jordan Morgan, after seven seasons at Lansing Eastern, takes over a program that has missed the playoffs for three straight years.
Eaton Rapids will be led by Jason Porter, who ends a four‑year coaching carousel and aims to break a 17‑game losing streak that plagued the previous regime of Mark Raczkowski. Fowler’s Jeremy Stephens transitions from assistant to head coach, inheriting a legacy of 60 wins over seven years under John Spicer.
At Fowlerville, Zack Douglass replaces Nick Semke, while Matt Copeland serves as interim coach during the transition. Across the board, the new staffs hope to translate fresh strategies into on‑field success.
The influx of new coaches reflects a broader ambition to restore competitiveness and excitement to Greater Lansing football. Fans will be watching closely as each program navigates its early season challenges under these fresh perspectives.