Capitol News

Jordan Hessbrook, head coach of Ithaca High School’s football team, has been named the Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week for week four of the 2025 season. The recognition comes after Ithaca’s Yellowjackets defeated Carrollton with a score of 68-6, bringing their season record to 4-0. The team has accumulated 203 points across four games, averaging over 50 points per game, and is currently ranked third in Division 7.

Hessbrook is in his twelfth year coaching at Ithaca High School and fifth as head coach. He has led the Yellowjackets to the playoffs each of his first four seasons as head coach, with two regional appearances in 2022 and 2023. His overall coaching record stands at 41 wins and eight losses. As a student-athlete at Ithaca, Hessbrook won state football championships in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

The Detroit Lions Football Education program interviewed Hessbrook about taking over the coaching role from his uncle, managing the current squad, and preparing for the upcoming Homecoming game against Hemlock on September 26. The full interview can be viewed at www.DetroitLions.com/coachoftheweek.

The Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week Program recognizes one coach each week during the regular season who demonstrates success on the field while also focusing on player character development, discipline, skill improvement, health, and safety. A panel of local high school football media members selects each winner.

The program will distribute $12,000 this season to support high school football in Michigan through contributions from the Detroit Lions, NFL Foundation, and Carhartt. Each weekly winner receives a $1,000 donation for their school’s football program. At season’s end, a Coach of the Year will be chosen to receive a $3,000 donation for their school’s football program. Winners also receive certificates signed by Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Now in its twenty-ninth year, the Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week program has awarded $515,000 to Michigan high school football programs since its inception.

For more information about the program or to contact Chris Fritzsching, Executive Director of Football Education for the Detroit Lions, email chris.fritzsching@lions.nfl.net.