MONTAGUE – The WMC coaching carousel has arrived, beginning with one of the most sought-after programs in the conference searching for a fresh face to lead the upcoming 2025 football season. Montague, alongside Whitehall and Oakridge, stands out as one of the best jobs in the conference, with its legacy and history of great talent flowing through the past couple of decades.
Justin Dennett held the reins of the program since 2021, succeeding Pat Collins, who guided the Wildcats to three state championships before departing for Holland West Ottawa.
Prior to joining Montague, Dennett served as an assistant coach at Greenville High School for four years, including two as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He also spent six years as an assistant coach at Byron Center High School and held a varsity basketball coaching position at Athens High School.
In Dennett’s inaugural season with Montague, he led the team to the Division 6 regional championship, ultimately losing to Lansing Catholic, 31-13. The 2021 season showcased great promise and optimism for Dennett as a coach. However, after just 11 total wins across his final three seasons and four consecutive losses to rival Whitehall, the Montague administration and Coach Dennett decided to part ways.
The Wildcats boast a storied history of coaches, dating back to the legendary Ken Diamond.
In 1986, Diamond took over as the head football coach at Montague High School. Despite initial struggles, including a combined 1-17 record in the 1989 and 1990 seasons, he guided the team to a 6-3 record in 1991. The following year, under his leadership, the Wildcats reached the Class CC state championship game, narrowly losing to Detroit DePorres, 12-7.
After stepping away from coaching in 2003, Diamond continued serving Montague High School as assistant principal and athletic director until his retirement in 2016, concluding a remarkable 43-year career in education.
Following Diamond’s retirement in 2003, the Wildcats struck gold again, hiring Pat Collins. Over 17 seasons, Collins amassed 159 wins and just 43 losses, leading the Wildcats to three state championships and numerous conference titles.
For just the third time in over 35 years, Montague will open its doors to a new era of football under the leadership of their next head coach.
Kyle Brott
January 30, 2025 at 9:56 am
Nice article. Two head coach openings in the same conference with both being tradition rich programs, great opportunities for whomever Montague and Oakridge hire next respectively.