It was a move almost nobody expected

Joe Nelson, who helped guide one of the biggest turnarounds in our area this season, has officially resigned as Grand Haven’s head football coach after three seasons in the role.

Nelson, who was a 1989 Grand Haven graduate, took over the job in 2017 and went 1-8 in his first season at the helm. The wins then started becoming more and the losses less, as the Bucs went 3-6 in his second season and then finally, this past season, he led Grand Haven to a 6-5 record. They made the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and won a playoff game for the first time since 2009.

When asked why he chose to resign, Nelson said “I was pretty proud and excited about how we had a pretty successful season and after three years we had a pretty successful program in Grand Haven. With everything going on in my life right now and how busy it’s been I felt it was time to step down.”

Nelson also didn’t rule out a return to coaching, as he said “I enjoy working with kids and I haven’t missed a football season since 1980, but I feel like it would be good to at least take this year off.”

Grand Haven athletic director Scott Robertson says he will be posting the job sometime next week.