Change is constant in high school athletics, but certain seasons feel more pivotal than others. This spring, several programs across West Michigan are entering new chapters as longtime coaches step away and new leaders take over. These moments often do more than shift the person on the sideline, they shape the direction of programs, influence the athletes who wear the uniforms, and help determine what the next few seasons might look like.
From Whitehall to Ravenna, Fremont to Montague, the region is seeing a wave of coaching transitions that could have lasting effects on teams, athletes, and the communities that rally around them.
Whitehall Boys Basketball Turns the Page
At Whitehall, boys basketball coach Christian Subdon has stepped down after five seasons leading the Vikings program.
Subdon leaves with an 85-32 overall record, including a 52-10 mark in West Michigan Conference play and a district championship during the 2021-22 season. During his tenure, the Vikings built a reputation as one of the toughest teams in the conference, a group opponents knew would compete every night.
Like many longtime coaches, Subdon reached a point where the demands of leading a basketball program and managing an athletic department began to pull him away from time with his family. Since taking over as Whitehall’s athletic director in 2023, his responsibilities have only increased. With two young daughters at home, the moment felt right to step aside and allow someone new to lead the Vikings.
The transition places Whitehall at an important crossroads. The next head coach will inherit a program with strong expectations and a roster of players already working to compete at a high level. The Vikings have established a culture built on toughness and accountability, and the next leader will play a major role in determining whether the program can build on that foundation and continue competing for conference and postseason success.
For Whitehall’s players and community, the coming hire represents more than just filling a position, it is about preserving the identity of a program that expects to contend every season.
Steve Czerwon Returns to Ravenna
Few coaching moves this offseason carry as much potential impact as Steve Czerwon’s return to Ravenna.
After 13 seasons as head coach at Muskegon Catholic Central and 22 years overall with the Crusaders program, Czerwon has taken over as the new head football coach of the Bulldogs. His time at MCC included a 105-39 record and four consecutive state championships from 2013 through 2016, establishing him as one of the area’s most accomplished coaches.
For Ravenna, the hire signals an effort to reconnect with the program’s strong tradition while building toward the future. The Bulldogs have experienced mixed results in recent seasons, going 29-29 over the past six years and missing the playoffs in the last two seasons.
Czerwon’s return carries both familiarity and renewed expectations. Early in his coaching career, he spent time at Ravenna while student-teaching, learning from legendary Bulldogs coaches Dusty Fairfield and Randy Helsen during the program’s championship era. Both Fairfield and Helsen are now returning to help on his staff, bringing experience and continuity to a program hoping to regain momentum.
The challenge ahead is clear. Ravenna faces a demanding schedule and competes in a conference where success requires depth, discipline, and strong leadership. But the program also appears to have promising pieces in place, including returning varsity talent and recent success at the junior varsity and middle school levels.
If the transition goes well, Ravenna could quickly reestablish itself as a consistent playoff contender. If not, the Bulldogs risk falling further behind in a competitive football landscape. The coming seasons will reveal how quickly the program can translate experience and tradition into results.
Fremont Boys Soccer Says Goodbye to a Familiar Leader
In Fremont, boys soccer coach Steve Vissia has stepped down after a long and successful run, though he will continue coaching the girls program.
Few coaches have shaped a program as deeply as Vissia did during his time leading the Packers boys team. Across two stints spanning nearly two decades, he compiled a 236-132-21 record while building a program known for discipline, strong team culture, and steady improvement.
The timing of his departure is notable because the program appears to be in strong shape. Fremont’s last three seasons represent the most successful stretch of Vissia’s tenure, highlighted by a 21-1-2 campaign in 2025 that included conference and district championships, the program’s first regional title, and a trip to the Division 3 state semifinals.
For Fremont, the moment represents both an ending and an opportunity. Vissia’s leadership helped build a foundation that the next coach will inherit, including experienced players and a program that believes it can compete at a high level.
At the same time, coaching transitions often test how firmly a program’s culture has taken root. The next leader will have the opportunity to maintain that momentum while bringing a fresh voice and perspective to a team that recently proved it can compete with some of the best programs in the state.
Montague Track and Field Begins a New Era
Montague is also beginning a new chapter with Phil Koops and Dan French taking over as co-head coaches of the Wildcats track and field program.
Both coaches see track and field as a program capable of strengthening the entire athletic department. French brings experience from coaching middle school track at Gue, while Koops has coached track at previous teaching and coaching stops in Plymouth, Indiana, and Hamilton, Michigan.
Their vision centers on building a program that benefits athletes across multiple sports. Track and field often plays a critical role in developing speed, strength, and athleticism that carry into football, basketball, and other programs throughout the school year.
The early signs are encouraging. Nearly 50 boys attended the first day of practice, while the girls roster currently sits around 20 athletes and continues to grow. Participation numbers can shape the success of a track program, particularly in smaller schools where athletes often compete in multiple sports.
Koops and French are emphasizing an approach focused on efficiency and intention. Practices are designed to prioritize quality work and athlete development rather than simply pushing athletes through long sessions.
If the program continues to grow, the impact could extend well beyond the track. A strong track program often strengthens the overall athletic culture of a school, helping athletes develop skills that benefit teams throughout the year. Montague Football Enters New Era: Head Football Coach Search Ends
These coaching changes mark an important moment for high school athletics across West Michigan. Veteran coaches are stepping aside, new leaders are taking over, and athletes and communities alike are adjusting to what comes next. The full impact will play out over time, but the choices made this offseason are likely to shape these programs for years to come.
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