Detroit, MI - The Detroit Lions have named Charlie Gunsell of Ludington High School the week seven recipient of the 2025 Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week Program, presented by Carhartt. Gunsell's Orioles defeated Whitehall 32-7 during Ludington's Homecoming to move to 7-0 on the season for the first time since 1989. The victory was Gunsell's 100th win of his career and clinched at least a share of the West Michigan Conference-Lakes Division. Ludington is currently ranked number 9 in Division 4. On Friday, October 17th, Ludington travels to Muskegon to take on the 4-3 Orchard View Cardinals in the 55th matchup all-time between these two programs.
Gunsell is his 27th season coaching high school football at Ludington and his 22nd and final season as head coach. Gunsell has announced he will step down from the position at the conclusion of the season. Gunsell has taken the Orioles to the playoffs in 7 of his last 10 seasons.
Detroit Lions Football Education sat down with Gunsell to discuss his two plus decades of coaching at Ludington, the joy of being able to coach his younger son while having his older son on the coaching staff and what the experience of his 100th career win was like. Gunsell was also informed of his Coach of the Week selection on Head Coach Hangout. See his reaction and the entire interview by visiting www.DetroitLions.com/coachoftheweek.
High School Football Coach of the Week Program
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. The winner is selected by a panel of high school football 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).
This season's program will award $12,000 to aid in the development and promotion of high school football in the state of Michigan, thanks to contributions from the Detroit Lions, the NFL Foundation and Carhartt.
Each winning coach during the regular season will receive a $1,000 donation to his school's football program. At the conclusion of the 2025 Michigan High School Football season, the Lions will also select the High School Football Coach of the Year. This season's Coach of the Year will receive a $3,000 donation to his school's football program. All winners will receive a certificate signed by Lions' head coach Dan Campbell and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Currently in its' 29th year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $515,000 to high school football programs throughout the state of Michigan. For more information on the High School Coach of the Week program, contact Chris Fritzsching, Lions' Executive Director of Football Education, at chris.fritzsching@lions.nfl.net.
