Detroit, MI— The Detroit Lions have named Eric Schugars of Traverse City Central High School the 2026 Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week for Week #1, presented by Carhartt. On opening weekend, Schugars’ Trojans defeated the Novi Wildcats 55-22 to start the season 1-0. On Thursday, September 3, Traverse City Central hosts the Redford Thurston Eagles at Thirlby Field in the 1st ever matchup between these two programs.
Schugars is his 25th season coaching at Traverse City Central and his 12th season as varsity head coach with an 83-37 (69.2%) overall record. He led the Trojans to five conference championships, three district championships, two regional championships and one state runner-up finish in 2021. Schugars is an economics and social studies teacher at Traverse City Central.
Schugars becomes part of the 2nd father-son combination ever to be honored as a Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week. Eric’s father, Jack, won the award in 2003-Week #9 when he led Muskegon Oakridge to a 13-1 season. Marc Cisco Sr. (Monroe Jefferson) and Marc Cisco Jr. (Byron Center) were the first father-son combination to win the awards in 2010 and 2019 respectively.
Detroit Lions Football Education sat down with Schugars to discuss their Week #1 victory over Novi, preview Week #2 and discuss their extensive travel plans as they go on the road in the Saginaw Valley League-North Division. Schugars 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.
