Football Uniform Grades-2026.

Written Friday August 7th at 2:38 PM

Here are the football uniform grades for 2026:

Clawson: Provider- Adidas: The Trojans have a very weird and scary look. They have a white helmet with the Trojan logo which is their tradition. The home blue jerseys with yellow pants or the road white with yellow or white on blue pants is a big no-no for me. It looks like the Los Angeles Chargers. This look really scares me and it's a fashion disaster. GRADE F.

Northville: Provider- Nike: The Mustangs have a very interesting uniform set up. They have three sets of uniforms, an all-black, all orange, and an all-white set, and they can mix and match. If Northville does it on the road the black pants would be better with the white jerseys. I love that the white jerseys have the NORTHVILLE crest with black numbering. The black helmet with the Mustang logo on the sides with the orange and white stripes on top of the helmet are very good. The all black, all orange, all white, or white on black looks good but white on orange not so much. GRADE B.

Novi: Provider- Nike: The Wildcats are getting new uniforms according to new coach Logan Pawloski they will keep the same design and traditions. They have a green home uniform with stripes on the shoulders with the name NOVI in white lettering and numbering. It's the same look on the road but it's in green lettering and numbering with white pants. The green helmet with the Wildcat logo on the sides. If they get a green set of pants that would make the green look very good, but the white pants look good as well. This is a great look. GRADE A.

Grand Blanc: Provider- Nike: The Bobcats have a very interesting look with a black helmet with the Bobcats paw on the sides. They have three uniform sets, an all-black, an all red, and an all-white look. The white uniforms are new with the BOBCATS name on the crest in red font with red numbering with red and black stripes on the shoulders. I'm not sure if they got new black uniforms. When Grand Blanc mixes and matches their uniform set. The black pants on the white uniforms look good along with the red top and black pants look. The white jerseys with red pants look are not a good combination, same with red pants on the black jerseys. GRADE B.

Davison: Provider- Adidas: The Cardinals uniforms are very interesting. They have a red helmet with yellow feathers on the sides. They have four uniform sets. There is an all red, an all yellow, and an all-white look with the DAVISON name and numbers with the Adidas logo on the right side but in either red or yellow numbering. Davison released a new black uniform set with black pants. The jersey has the same DAVISON name and Adidas logo on the right side with red outline with yellow numbering. The Cardinals can mix and match at times with their uniforms. It's hard to figure at times why Davison does that, but it is what it is. GRADE C.

Waterford Kettering: Provider- Nike: The Captains brought in a new uniform set last season for then Coach Brian Barnes. The helmet is green with a Captains head which I like. The home green has black elbows with the Captains name and lettering in white. The road white is the same with white pants but in green lettering and has the name Kettering on them. I like the home look but the white needs some work but Coach Bob Meyer has to focus on the product on the field before the uniform talk. GRADE B.

Ferndale: Provider- Nike: The Eagles kept their uniforms with all brown look at home with the brown helmet and an all-white look on the road. The brown helmet looks awesome on the road but the gold numbering on the home jerseys could use some improvement but if they can make the colors work, it's a great look. GRADE B.

Berkley: Provider- Nike: The Bears went to their classic look with the home blue jerseys with white numbering with a blue helmet with white pants. They have the all-white look on the road with blue numbering. It's a great traditional look. I miss the look from years ago, but this is a fine look. GRADE A.

Royal Oak: Provider- Nike: The Ravens are getting a new uniform set for this season. They are bringing in a new blue helmet which I really liked to go along with an all-black for their home games. The road white looks clean to go along with the new blue helmet. I like the all black with blue helmet and the all white jerseys, white pants, with blue helmet. Hopefully they don't go no blue helmet, white jersey, with black pants please. GRADE A.

Pontiac: Provider- Nike: The Phoenix have a great uniform design that I like. The home purple uniforms look great along with the alternate black uniforms look good with black pants. The road white uniforms with the purple lettering and names with white pants look great as well. It goes so well with a purple helmet. I always like the color purple for some reason it resonates on a uniform. GRADE A.

Avondale: Provider- Nike: The Yellow Jackets have had a great uniform combination since they went to Nike. Avondale has a home black jersey with the JACKETS crest in yellow along yellow numbering with yellow stripes on the elbows and lettering with black pants. They have the all-white with the JACKETS name in purple lettering with yellow numbering with yellow and purple stripes on the shoulders along with white pants with a yellow and purple stripe on the side. Both looks are great with the purple helmet with the Yellow Jacket Georgia Tech logo. Please don't change the uniforms. GRADE A.

Harper Woods: Provider- Zenith: The Pioneers have a lot of different combinations from an all-maroon look, an all-black look, and an all-white look which includes the helmets which I'm not a fan of the white helmets. They will mix and match at times their uniforms. This uniform set can be a great look when done correctly. The pink uniforms Harper Woods wears in October are awesome and a classic. This deserves two grades. GRADES THE PINK UNIFORM A, THE REST OF THE UNIFORMS B.

Groves: Provider- Nike: The Falcons haven't changed much to the uniforms. The green with yellow lettering and black pants looks very clean on them. The all-white look looks too plain with the green lettering and numbering. They will wear black pants on the road as well which is a very interesting look with green helmet, white jersey, and black pants. The helmet looks solid with old Atlanta Falcons logo on both sides. The white uniforms look too plain to get the grade to move up. GRADE C.

Seaholm: Provider- Nike: The Maples haven't changed much with the uniforms. They still have name plates on the back of the jerseys but the elbows I miss on both uniforms. The maroon helmet with the S on the sides looks great on both home and road uniforms, and they have an all-black set which I like. I just miss the opposite elbows on the sides, but they did nail the jerseys with the home maroon and road whites with maroon and white pants. GRADE B.

Southfield Arts and Tech: Provider- Nike: The Warriors changed helmets in 2024 to blue helmets which is interesting. They kept the red uniforms from their Division One State Championship team but went to blue pants which was very interesting. The all-white look is fine, but I don't like the name WARRIORS on the name plates. I would feel a lot better if Southfield Arts and Tech took the name WARRIORS off of the white uniforms. The home red uniforms look great, but the white ones need some modifications. GRADE B.

Oak Park: Provider- Nike: The Knights went back to the black helmets with the red OP on them which is the classic look. The home red jerseys with the OAK PARK name and red pants are a great look. The road white can use some improvement but don't wear red pants on the road. The all red is great at home but NO WHITE HELMETS. GRADE A.

Waterford Mott: Provider- 1/2 Adidas. 1/2 Zenith: The Corsairs are transitioning to Zenith really soon, but they are still using their Adidas uniforms for games. The baby blue helmets with the WM logo on the sides are very interesting with the North Carolina stripe on top of the helmet. They have a dark blue set along with a baby blue set just like North Carolina. They can mix and match if they want to do so. Waterford Mott looks a lot like North Carolina which is very interesting. Not a fan of the Adidas look, but Zenith looks great. GRADE C.

Stoney Creek: Provider- Nike: The Cougars got a very interesting look and new uniforms. The home navy blue uniforms have gold on the sides with the COUGARS name in white with gold numbering. They have navy-blue pants. The navy-blue helmet looks good with the SC on the helmet. The road white is the same design with the STONEY CREEK name with navy blue and gold lettering and numbering along with white pants. They have the navy-blue helmet with SC on the sides. A simple jersey with name plates on the back is usually the best jersey. GRADE A.

Rochester: Provider- Rawlings: The Falcons blue and white look is classic, no gimmicks, no nothing. It might be time to get rid of the feathers on the elbows and they could when they switch to Nike next season. If they get a new set of uniforms, they should simplify their uniforms which would make the uniform stick out with the home blue with white numbering and a road white with blue numbering and go white pants for both home and road now that would be a classic with the blue helmet with the classic R sticking out, that would be perfect. I love the USA theme uniforms they have along with an all-black look they have for special games. Those looks also goes with the classic R blue helmet. They finally got the helmet right and not went to all Oregon. The simple uniform as mentioned on top would be a great look, simple is better and they are getting new uniforms after switching to Nike next season. GRADE A.

Bloomfield Hills: Provider- Nike: The Black Hawks kept the black helmets with the Black Hawks logo on the sides with the purple stripe on top of the helmet. They have a home black uniform that has the BLACK HAWKS name in white lettering with a purple outline along with black pants. The road whites have black lettering and purple numbering with the BLOOMFIELD name on it. The white pants have a purple stripe on the sides. I gave this set a C last season, but this season is different. GRADE B.

Troy: Provider- Nike: The Colts finally got the uniform right a few years ago. They put name plates on the home black jerseys with the black pants. They don't put the name plates on the white uniforms. The black helmets need some work though, a redesign to the Colts logo would be much better instead of the big TC logo on one side and the numbers on the other side. I like the uniform set up with all blacks at home and all whites on the road. The helmet needs some work though. GRADE B.

Troy Athens: Provider- Nike: The Red Hawks got new uniforms but did not change the concept. I like the home uniforms with the gold strips on the elbows. I like the lettering and numbering with the name ATHENS on it, it's a great look, wish the name was in gold, but I can't control that. I like the red pants at home, if they get a gold pair, that would be awesome with the gold helmet. The road white has the same design as the home uniforms in red lettering with a red and gold stripe on the elbows. They have a white set of pants as well. The gold helmet really stands out on both uniforms. The Red Hawk on the helmet is a little too big which is my only grievance. The Red Hawk needs to be font sized a bit smaller, but the design makes up for it. It's good as it is. GRADE A.

Clarkston: Provider-Nike: The classic Michigan helmet looks great and its truly Clarkston but the home and road uniforms seriously need work. The Wolves made a change to the uniforms that really wanted to make me cry last season after finally nailing the road white a few years ago. The home blue uniforms look a lot like Hartland with the white CLARKSTON lettering and numbering with the yellow elbows with white on the middle. They have blue or yellow pants. The road white uniforms are worse and almost very similar to 2018. The road whites are similar to the home look with the WOLVES name on the crest with yellow and blue lettering and numbering respectively. They have stripes and blue stripe in the middle on the elbows. The blue pants make no sense on the road uniforms, blue pants is not a good look with this set, yellow is okay but the white jersey is just hideous. I talked to Coach Justin Pintar and former Athletic Director Jeff Kosin about the white uniforms they said a white set of pants is coming this season. The white pants could make the white jerseys a little bit better. Their current third jerseys have the CLARKSTON name and numbering in yellow with the Jordan jump man on the top left of the jersey along with yellow shoulder stripe and blue pants. This look lot better than their main home blue uniforms and seriously needs to be the permanent home uniforms. Overall, besides the helmet and the third set, the home and road uniform set really needs a complete do over. GRADE E.

Lake Orion: Provider-Nike: The Dragons have had the same uniform design under Chris Bell when they went with Russell Athletic and Nike with the name plates on the back opposite V-Neck. Although they made some changes there were some that I'm not a fan of. The helmet with the LO's on the sides and the stripes on the top is very traditional. The pants haven't changed much but there was a time they changed the uniform pants in 2013 which were a failure, but they finally went back to the stripes on the pants and haven't changed since with the Dragons logo on the front which is tradition. The uniform top has been up and down since 2012. The opposite elbow uniforms was a home run, but the other designs have not been great the shoulder stripes on the jerseys in 2020 was not a great look. When Bell came back to coaching, he changed the uniforms going back to the more traditional uniforms design. The 22-24 look was great on the home green saying DRAGONS in white lettering and numbering. The road white has DRAGONS instead of LAKE ORION which was my only issue in green lettering and numbering. They hit a home run on the design and the LO helmet stuck out. They made one change which I did not like and that was bringing the LO logo on the V-Neck which to me is too much, the LO logo on V-Neck needs to go, it's on the helmets and doesn't need to be on the jerseys. The 22-24 look was a lot better on the Dragons without the LO V-Neck. It's time to get rid of the LO logo on the V-Neck. GRADE B.

Adams: Provider-Adidas: The Highlanders uniform design is very interesting. It looks solid but it's plain as well. Adams home and road look are very similar with the shoulders in opposite colors. The home brown look has the HIGHLANDERS name in gold with gold piping on the shoulders with the stripe on the pants. The road brown is the same design with ADAMS in brown and gold lettering and piping. The third jerseys have the name ADAMS in charcoal with charcoal pants with the stripes on the elbows. The helmet is gold with Adams scripted on the sides. I've grown to accept them, but I miss the classic A with the swords on them. GRADE C.

West Bloomfield: Provider-Nike: The Lakers have always had a nice uniform set with the military look usually for week two and the all black look for big games to go along with their traditional uniforms. The helmets are the same design as Alabama but its white helmets, Alabama has crimson, should West Bloomfield look at green helmets??? The Lakers have a home green uniform with white pants. West Bloomfield has an all-white that makes them look like clone troopers from the Star Wars series. I like the uniform, but the helmet needs a paint job. GRADE B.

Oxford: Provider-Nike: There really hasn't been any changes since then Coach Zack Line got to Oxford in 2020 when he changed the helmet to yellow and they got a new set of uniforms. Coach Trevor Potts has kept the Line look the same during his coaching career. I like the yellow helmet which meant a changing on the times from then Coach Bud Rowley. I'm not a fan of the helmet design with the OHS and Wildcat logo, it looks like Louisiana State. The home uniforms have yellow numbering and have a perfect combination with yellow or blue pants to choose from. The all blue along with the yellow pants is a great look. Oxford has new road uniforms with the OXFORD crest and blue numbering along with the blue and gold stripes on the shoulders with name plates on the back of the jerseys. They included white pants with a blue and yellow stripe on the side which to many Oxford fans, white pants are bad luck. Luckly they will still have yellow pants which look better with this set than the blue pants with the yellow helmet. The Wildcats have an alternate black uniform that celebrates Oxford which I like which will be used for one game, it could be the Lake Orion game, usually the Wildcats go black when they play the Dragons at Wildcat Stadium. Overall great uniform sets but the helmet design needs work. GRADE A

Pontiac makes surprising Boys Basketball coaching move.

Written Thursday August 6th at 7:30 PM

Updated Sunday August 9th at 8:42 AM

The Phoenix made a stunning coaching move with their boys basketball program.

Pontiac named Robert Hill as their head coach taking over for Coach Dion Harris.

The MHSAA confirmed the hire on its website as of Thursday evening.

It is unknown what happened to Harris but according to Phoenix football coach Wendell Jefferson he stepped down at Pontiac. Harris led the Phoenix to 17 wins and finished 17-7. They made the district finals falling 57-55 in double overtime on a buzzer beater to Goodrich last season.

Hill is the Phoenix fourth coach in five years. He played at Pontiac Northern for legendary coach Robert Rogers from 2005-2008.

The Phoenix have Caden Covington, JJ Claudio, Nasir Harris, G'aimir Lyles, JaKobe Hickman, and Tim Ewing coming back. Program strength is something to watch with Pontiac going forward.

The Phoenix are in the Blue with Troy, Troy Athens, Seaholm, Royal Oak, and Harper Woods. They are in a district with Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, Birmingham Detroit Country Day, Macomb Lutheran North, and Madison Heights Lamphere, and Warren Michigan Colligate this season.

This came out of nowhere, will this move change a lot, only time will tell.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

Here is the Phoenix website from the MHSAA.

https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/pontiac/boys/varsity/basketball/2026-27

Week One Football Early Thoughts.

Written Tuesday July 28th at 11:46 AM

Updated Friday August 21st at 9:56 AM

Here are the early thoughts for week one.

4. CLARKSTON vs South Lyon @ Ann Arbor: This is shaping to be a very interesting matchup between two teams that haven't seen each other a lot. The Wolves lost a ton of talent from last season. The Lions have a lot of talent coming back. The last time Clarkston was in Ann Arbor they fell 23-10 to Northville in 2023. This should be a good test for Coach Justin Pintar and the Wolves playing a very good South Lyon program in Ann Arbor.

5. ADAMS vs Romeo @ Ann Arbor: This is a rematch of two Highlanders wins over the Bulldogs which included the postseason when Adams won 29-13 in the regional finals last season. The Highlanders have won the last four meetings over the Bulldogs. These are two regional proven powerhouses. Could this be the year that Romeo solves the veer offense that Adams has or will the Highlanders continue their dominance??? The Bulldogs have looked very good in their scrimmage.

SEAHOLM vs Milford @ Ann Arbor: This could be the Maples greatest test in Ann Arbor. The Mavericks have a high-octane offense with a very good quarterback in former Novi Detroit Catholic Central quarterback Hudson Smith that Coach Jim DeWald and the Maples are going to have to deal with. Seaholm can't afford to trail or get down early in this game or it will spell trouble with Milford's offense. The key for the Maples is to slow the game down and play veer football.

6. GROVES vs North Farmington @ Wayne State: These are two former OAA rivals going at it with legendary coaches everywhere in this game and it's been neck and neck with both schools winning two games each since 2020. Falcons Coach Brendan Flaherty was recently inducted into the Michigan Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame then there is former Harrison Coach John Herrington who is an assistant under current Raiders Coach Jon Herstein. The Falcons are bringing in a new quarterback and has defensive concerns but has Jeremiah Whitley at running back. North Farmington has a solid quarterback in former Detroit Cass Tech standout Elijah Cobb at quarterback. This will be a good test for Groves going up against a proven program.

ROYAL OAK vs St. Clair Shores Lake Shore: This is a rematch of a 17-7 Ravens win in St. Clair Shores last season. Royal Oak has to replace their quarterback and has some questions that Coach Colin Campbell needs to answer. The Shorians had a rough year last season but should be better this season. Royal Oak had one bad loss which cost them a trip to the postseason. This should be a very interesting game.

BERKLEY at Livonia Franklin: The Dan Earls era begins at Berkley and for his first game is a trip to Livonia to play Livonia Franklin. The Patriots beat the Bears 34-7 at Hurley Field last season. Livonia Franklin was a postseason team last season. Earls is known for offense but the defense will get a stiff test against a Patriots offense that was really good last season.

SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH at East Kentwood: Warriors will get tested right away for first year coach Antwon Robinson. East Kentwood blew out Southfield Arts and Tech 43-8 in Southfield and made the Division One State Semifinals falling to Novi Detroit Catholic Central last season. The Falcons have a high-octane offense and a ton of experience. This is going to be a very tough matchup for the Warriors.

7. WEST BLOOMFIELD at Dearborn Fordson: The Lakers will head to Dearborn for an early test with the Tractors. West Bloomfield won 37-0 over Dearborn Fordson at the Swamp last season. The Tractors have gone through a transition period with a new coach, but they have proven experience. Lakers Coach Zach Hilbers will have his hands full but trust him I do.

1. STONEY CREEK vs Utica Eisenhower: This is a rematch of a 35-31 Cougars win over the Eagles in the first round of the postseason at Stoney Creek last season. These two schools are separated by five miles across the Oakland/Macomb County line. Stoney Creek has a ton of experience coming back. Utica Eisenhower will be tough as always. This is a tone setter game between the Cougars and Eagles to see who starts off strong.

AVONDALE at Walled Lake Northern: Both teams had very miserable 2025's last season. The Yellow Jackets have a new coach with a ton of questions. The Knights went through a coaching transition last season. This is a key game for Avondale to start strong for new Coach Isiah Goltrane and forget last season in a big way.

ROCHESTER vs Macomb L'Anse Creuse North: Falcons Coach Eric Vernon likes going into Macomb County to play Macomb County schools. The Crusaders had it rough, they went 0-9 last season. They have a new coach in former Sterling Heights Stevenson Coach Justin Newcomb. The Falcons have a quarterback/wide receiver duo in Matt Dyki and Nate Tandy. Macomb L'Anse Creuse North should be better this season. This should be very interesting to see before the Falcon Frenzy Game the following week.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs Macomb L'Anse Creuse: This is a very interesting matchup of two schools that struggled last season. Black Hawks Coach Scott Merchant is in his second year which usually means big results. The quarterback spot is the question mark for Bloomfield Hills. Macomb L'Anse Creuse should be much improved. This should be a good test for the Black Hawks.

WATERFORD KETTERING at Livonia Clarenceville: The Bob Meyer return tour starts for the Captains. Meyer coached at Livonia Clarenceville before taking the Avondale job. Waterford Kettering won 14-0 last season in week five. That was probably one of the Captains best games after a rough year last season.

3. OXFORD at Hartland: This is a rematch of a 23-7 Wildcats win over the Eagles last season on the blue turf. Oxford is very experienced except for the quarterback spot. Hartland has a very talented lineman in William Tobin. This game could be on 93.5 WHNI in Livingston County. This should be a very interesting game in Hartland.

10. WATERFORD MOTT at TROY ATHENS: This is a very interesting matchup of two different styles. The Corsairs are young, athletic, and quick. The Red Hawks have the line play. This game comes down to the coaching staffs and to see which team's weaknesses get shored up the best wins this game.

PONTIAC vs Detroit Community: Detroit Community was a postseason team last season. It's going to be a tough assignment for Coach Wendell Jefferson and the Phoenix to prepare for. Pontiac though has played a much tougher schedule, and the game is at Pontiac.

HARPER WOODS at Chelsea: What a tough opener for the Pioneers. The Bulldogs are coached by former Lowell Coach Noelle Dean who is known for running the Wing T. Hopefully Harper Woods can figure out their quarterback situation during their scrimmage and practices. The Pioneers have proven athletes and depth everywhere, but Chelsea is tough and physical. This will be a tough game for Harper Woods.

9. OAK PARK at Grand Rapids Catholic Central: This is as tough of a matchup as you can get for the Knights going up against the top ranked team in Division Five. The Cougars are talented and well balanced. Oak Park has experienced skill players but questions up front. This is going to be tough for the Knights heading up Interstate 96 to Kent County and Grand Rapids.

TROY vs Grosse Pointe North: These are two teams that had things rough in 2025. The Colts haven't been the same team since September 19th when they went 0-6 and scored 21 points in that span. The Norseman allowed over 40 points five times including allowing 35 points or more in their three games last season. Whoever wins this game will gain some confidence heading into their seasons. This is a big game for both teams with the trajectory of their seasons going forward.

FERNDALE vs Madison Heights Lamphere: This is a rematch of a 17-14 Rams double overtime win in week one last season. Madison Heights Lamphere has a new coach and a transition period ahead. The Eagles should be motivated for this season and especially this game.

8. LAKE ORION at NORTHVILLE: These are two schools that are no strangers to one another. The Mustangs won 14-13 over the Dragons at Wayne State last season after the Dragons won 21-13 at Northville in 2024. Lake Orion has more experience offensively but defensively will be the test. Northville likes to run the ball, but their defensive secondary faces a stiff test. This should be a fun matchup between two future OAA rivals.

NOVI at Traverse City Central: Coach Logan Pawloski (Traverse City West alumni) makes his return to Traverse City and Thirby Field. This is also a rematch after the Wildcats got blown out 46-3 in week one by the Titans in Novi last season. I like what Pawloski is doing with team bonding and going to Traverse City early. It will be a good test for Novi in Grand Traverse County.

CLAWSON vs Detroit Pershing: The Trojans and Doughboys are no strangers to one another. Clawson won both meetings although tight with Detroit Pershing. Coach Steve Haney has some experience coming back although there are questions with depth. Both these schools were postseason teams in Division Six last season. This should be a fun game in Clawson.

GRAND BLANC vs Belleville: The Bobcats are coming off a very disappointing 42-22 loss to Clarkston in the district finals after having an unbeaten regular season last season. Grand Blanc was an offensive machine in 2025 scoring 50 points or more five times last season. They will have a pretty young team when Belleville comes into Genesee County. The Tigers were blown out 38-7 by Clarkston in week one at Wayne State and really wasn't the same program despite winning seven straight games. Belleville had three losses including to the Wolves where they allowed 30 or more points. They allowed 57 points in a 57-36 loss to Howell in week nine and were upset 30-29 by Brownstown Woodhaven in the first-round with both games being at Belleville last season. The Tigers have a sophomore quarterback in Kendall Franklin along with a proven wide receiver in Charles Britton. Grand Blanc has a new quarterback in Jake DeWitt, but they have Jeremiah Coleman who is one of the top running backs in the State. This should be a very interesting matchup for the Bobcats going up against a talented and athletic Tigers program.

DAVISON vs Roseville @ Atwood Stadium: This is a rematch after the Cardinals won 38-21 over the Panthers in Macomb County in week one last season. Davison have to replace a ton of talent from last season despite having a proven quarterback and running back coming back. Roseville is well coached and well-disciplined, but they have to make that long drive to Atwood Stadium in Flint while Atwood Stadium is not too far of a drive for Davison. The Cardinals have questions defensively but have an experienced offense. This should be a good test for Davison.

Waterford Mott has their new Athletic Director.

Written Sunday July 26th at 6:12 PM

It looks like Waterford Mott has their new athletic director.

The Corsairs named Connor O'Leary as their new athletic director. He takes over for Shayne Hines who left Waterford Mott for West Bloomfield and then went to Clarkston this offseason.

The MHSAA confirmed the hire.

O'Leary was at Novi as an intern and the Young Life Area Director before taking the job at Waterford Mott. He has connections to all the sports including in the middle school levels when he was at Novi. O'Leary was the boys basketball coach at Novi Middle School and boys soccer coach of the green team at Novi.

O'Leary is the brother of former Novi volleyball standout Erin O'Leary.

The Waterford School District does not have a district wide Athletic Director. Allison Satourius is currently the Athletic Director at Waterford Kettering.

Waterford Mott has an enrollment of 998 students which is Division Three for football and Division One for other sports.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

West Bloomfield has their new Boys Basketball Coach.

Written Monday July 20th at 7:07 pm

West Bloomfield new Athletic Director Thomas Degrand made his first coaching hire as Athletic Director.

The Lakers named Sidney Zanders as their new boys basketball coach. Zanders takes over for Coach Arnette Jordan who stepped down earlier this summer.

The MHSAA website confirmed the hire.

Zanders was an assistant under Jordan last season. He knows the system pretty well being Jordan's top assistant. 

West Bloomfield has Jamison Webster, Quentin Allen, Nasir Moore, Shon Adkins, Jaylen Brown, Shannon Rochon, Dorian Jackson, and Euguene North coming back. Program strength is a concern for the Lakers this season.

The Lakers are in the Red with Clarkston, Ferndale, Avondale, Groves, and Adams in the Red. They will be in a district with Orchard Lake St. Marys, Avondale, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood, and Walled Lake Central in their district.

It's going to be very interesting to see how Zanders handles being the head coach and build the program. Program strength and being in the Red are concerns heading into the season.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

Boys Tennis Regionals.

 Written Friday July 17th at 1:15 PM

Here are the boys tennis regionals.

Region 3 at Novi

WEST BLOOMFIELD

NOVI

NORTHVILLE

Birmingham Brother Rice

Dearborn

Dearborn Edsel Ford

Dearborn Fordson

Farmington

Livonia Stevenson

Region 4 at Troy

TROY

TROY ATHENS

BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Chippewa Valley

Fraser

Macomb Dakota

Macomb L'Anse Creuse North

Utica

Utica Ford II

Sterling Heights Stevenson

Region 5 at Utica Eisenhower

LAKE ORION

OXFORD

ROCHESTER

ADAMS

STONEY CREEK

WATERFORD UNITED

DAVISON

Utica Eisenhower

Romeo

New Baltimore Anchor Bay

Region 6 at Brighton

CLARKSTON

GRAND BLANC

Brighton

Novi Detroit Catholic Central

Grand Ledge

Hartland

Holt

Howell

Okemos

Walled Lake Northern

Region 8 at Allen Park

GROVES

SEAHOLM

BERKLEY

ROYAL OAK

Allen Park

Dearborn Divine Child

Dearborn Crestwood

Gibraltar Carlson

Riverview Gabriel Richard

Southgate Anderson

Wynadotte Roosevelt

Region 15 at Adrian

FERNDALE

CLAWSON

Adrian

Ann Arbor Greenhills

Detroit Country Day

Garden City

Lamphere

Milan

Riverview

Tecumseh

Trenton

Ypsilanti

Region 16 at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood

AVONDALE

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood

Armada

Caro

Fenton

Flint Kearsley

Holly

Imlay City

Marysville

Brandon

St. Clair

Yale

West Bloomfield has their new Athletic Director.

Written Wednesday July 1st at 7:55 PM

Updated Sunday July 5th at 7:04 PM

West Bloomfield has their new Athletic Director confirmed by both Tyler Kieft of Civic Center Television and a press release from West Bloomfield Community Schools. 

Thomas Degrand has become the new Athletic Director at West Bloomfield. According to the press release, he is the Education Technology teacher and Middle School Wrestling Coach at West Bloomfield Middle School. Degrand takes over for longtime West Bloomfield Athletic Director Eric Pierce who announced his retirement in May. Pierce had been the Athletic Director at West Bloomfield since 2014 and according to the West Bloomfield School District, Pierce was a long-time teacher since 2001.

According to the press release, Degrand served on multiple roles in the West Bloomfield School District. Providing leadership and mentoring opportunities. As the middle school wrestling coach, he was able to expand student participation and led the Lakers Middle School program to county championships. His mentoring, passion for helping students, and deep love for the community appealed to the superintendent Dania Bazzi.

Degrand was also a member of the Michigan State Wrestling team from 1998-2000 according to the press release. While at MSU, he earned his bachelors in Elementary Education and his master's in teaching. He would also earn an educational leadership degree at Oakland University.

Degrand's first task as Athletic Director will likely be looking for a new boys basketball coach as Arnette Jordan stepped down a few weeks ago along with settling into his new role.    

West Bloomfield competes in the OAA Red for Football, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, and Girls Volleyball. They will also compete in the Red this upcoming year in Wrestling. The Lakers also field strong programs in Baseball and Boys and Girls Track and Field. It will be interesting to see how West Bloomfield does with Degrand as the new Athletic Director.

Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.

The Press Release

WBSD is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Thomas DeGrand as the district’s new Athletic Director, effective July 1, 2026. | District News Items