Sports

Eisenhower Football Coach Lantzy Could Record 300th Victory

Eisenhower football coach Bob Lantzy goes for milestone victory when Eagles play at Chippewa Valley on Friday night.

veteran football coach Bob Lantzy could pick up win No. 300 if the Eagles defeat Chippewa Valley on Friday night.

Lantzy, who has led the Eagles for 42 years and is the only coach in the program's history, would be the ninth coach in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s history to win 300 games.

The Eagles take on the Big Reds at 7 p.m. at Chippewa Valley High School.

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Since being crowned the head coach of the Eagles in 1970, Lantzy has led the school to seven undefeated seasons, 12 league championships, seven state district titles, six regional championships and four state finals.

Eisenhower athletic director Chris Corteg said he believes one of the keys to Coach Lantzy’s success is his positive attitude.

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Corteg first met Lantzy in 1969 while Corteg was a student athlete on the football team. Lantzy took his first coaching job that year after graduating from Northern Michigan University, where he played defensive back and was a teammate of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr.

“I remember he was very good-natured, friendly and always had a smile on his face. He is still that way today. Take it from someone who knew him fresh out of college, he basically has the same persona about him,” said Corteg.

Shelby Township Parks and Recreations Director Joe Youngblood, who played football for Lantzy in 1989 during his senior year and went on to play football at Central Michigan University, said he credits part of his success today to Lantzy.

"He definitely got me ready to play at the college level. He helped me get a full-ride and a college education," said Youngblood.

Youngblood added that Lantzy teaches his players valuable life lessons, such as  how to treat people with respect and dignity.

“He treated everyone equal on the team from the player who didn’t get any playing time to the best player," he said.

Friday Night’s Game Intensifies

As a former business teacher at Eisenhower and coach of the football team, Lantzy has touched many students’ lives and inspired some to follow in his footsteps.

One such student, , who played under Lantzy for the Eagles and helped the team advance to the state finals in 1999 and 2000, will now be on the other side of the field tonight as an assistant coach with the Big Reds.

DiGiorgio, who went on to play in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills before retiring in 2008 because of a knee injury, is now an assistant coach with the Chippewa Valley football team and a physical education teacher at Chippewa Valley.

"When he hits that 300th win, former players will be pulling for him," said Youngblood.


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