Many of us have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the dedication and passion Coach Carl brings to coaching football. As a fellow coach, I have seen him invest countless volunteer hours, provide personal resources, and spend thousands of dollars of his own money on equipment to ensure our kids have the best possible experience.

Coach Carl’s impact extends far beyond teaching the game of football. He connects with young athletes on a personal level while teaching discipline, teamwork, perseverance, accountability, and sportsmanship… lessons that last long after the final whistle. For him, it has always been about what is best for the kids and the program.

Following the recent decision to remove Coach Carl from the Newaygo Rocket football coaching staff, many parents, players, and community members have expressed concern about what this means for the future of our program.

This petition is not about assigning blame. It is about asking the Board to consider Coach Carl’s years of service, dedication, and positive impact on the children of our community before making this decision final.

While reasonable people may have different perspectives on the events that led to this decision, we respectfully ask that Coach Carl’s entire body of work be considered alongside those events.

Over the years, Coach Carl has positively impacted hundreds of young athletes in our area. His commitment, generosity, knowledge of the game, and willingness to invest his own time and resources have helped build not only better football players, but better young men.

We respectfully ask the Newaygo Rocket Football Board to reconsider its decision and allow Coach Carl to continue serving the children and families of our community. We believe his continued involvement is in the best interest of our players, our families, and the long-term success of Newaygo Rocket Football.

If you believe Coach Carl has made a positive impact on our youth and deserves the opportunity to continue coaching, please sign this petition.

We also encourage anyone who wishes to respectfully support this request to attend the next Newaygo Rocket Football Board meeting:

Brooks Township Hall
Monday, July 6, 2026
7:00 PM

Together, let’s keep the focus where it belongs… on the kids and the positive mentors who help shape their lives.