The Detroit Lions have named Chris Laney of Dearborn Divine Child High School the 2026 Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week for Week #5, presented by Carhartt. Laney’s Falcons defeated the Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard Fighting Irish to move to 5-0 on the season. Divine Child is currently ranked No. 1 in Division 4. This Friday, October 2, Divine Child hosts Toledo (OH) St. John’s Jesuit in the 1st meeting ever between the two programs.
Laney is currently in his 24th season coaching football, his 15th season at Divine Child and his 5th season as head coach, earning a 40-13 (75.5%) record. Laney has led the Falcons to the playoffs 4 seasons in a row for the first time in school history and has won 12 in a row and 18 out of 19 games dating back to 2025. The Falcons reached the regional finals in 2022, district finals in 2023 & 2024 and won the 2025 Division 4 MHSAA state championship, the 3rd football state championship in school history.
Detroit Lions Football Education sat down with Laney to discuss his time as head coach of the Falcons, the 2025 state championship, the Falcons 5-0 start, and their upcoming Week #6 game vs. Toledo (OH) St. John’s Jesuit. Laney was also notified of his Coach of the Week selection on Head Coach Hangout. See his reaction and the entire interview by visiting www.DetroitLions.com/coachoftheweek.
