Faust steps down as Chargers’ football coach
November 17, 2008 at 7:37 pmby
Midland Dow football coach Kurt Faust announced Monday he is stepping down after six seasons at the Chargers’ helm.
Citing personal reasons, Faust delivered his letter of resignation to Athletic Director Ted Davis Monday morning before informing his players of the decision after school.
“The last few weeks of this season have been very difficult,” Faust said. “A lot has gone on here at Dow High School and I feel it’s better to step aside at this time.”
Faust declined to comment on the specifics of his resignation, though he mentioned he felt distanced from the actual act of coaching his players.
“I miss coaching,” he said. “I know that sounds weird, but when you’re a head coach sometimes actual coaching is the least of what you do.”
Davis also declined to get into the specifics of the resignation, but did say it came as a surprise to him and that he wishes Faust the best.
“I just think that there were some factors that were known to Kurt and he felt that this was the best time for him,” Davis said. “I just thank him for the great job that he’s done for Dow High School and all the time and effort that he’s put in.”
Faust leaves the Chargers after compiling a record of 30-26, including trips to the playoffs in 2005 and 2006, and a share of the Saginaw Valley League championship in 2005. His teams have been below .500 the past two seasons, though, compiling a record of 7-11 over that time.
The Chargers’ junior varsity team, however, went undefeated this season, sparking a great deal of optimism in Dow circles that the varsity team would rebound next season. The core from that team has lost only one game in two years and Faust said they have a lot to look forward to.
“I told them this program has come a long way in six years. I’m very proud of it, and I want the players to continue on…they need to keep working at getting better and, I will help them in any way that I can.”
Faust said he enjoyed trips to the playoffs and an SVL championship, but said he will look back at things more important than winning as the highlights of his tenure at Dow. He mentioned that in four of the last five years, his team has had the highest cumulative GPA of any Division II team in the state. He also commented on the Chargers’ involvement in the community and the high number of players they have put into college football programs.
“I enjoyed going out to coach every day,” Faust said. “Every day was a highlight for me. The great thing is that, when times are rough, football gives you a reason to get out of bed every day. It’s been that way my whole life and probably will continue that way.”
Prior to taking the head job at Dow High, Faust spent five years as an offensive line coach at Alma College. He also had stints as an assistant at Bullock Creek and Dow, as well as a head coaching job at Beaverton.
Faust will remain at Dow High at his current position of guidance counselor, but said anything is possible moving forward. When asked if he would coach again, Faust did not waver.
“I’ll be coaching again somewhere,” he said.
As for who will be the next coach at Dow, Faust says he hopes that the individual comes from within the school and said there are several worthy candidates on his current staff. Davis, though, would not comment on anyone in particular, saying only that the search would begin as soon as possible and that there is no set timetable for hiring a replacement.
“I’m sure that with a job like the head coach of the Dow High football program there will be a variety of candidates,” Davis said. “Everyone will be evaluated.”
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Kurt Faust is a class act and I wish him nothing but the best.
A Midland High parent
The Dow High Athletic Community has lost a solid leader and an individual that is totally committed to kids. He is an outstanding teacher and football technician and will be on the short list of numerous coaching jobs if he chooses to be. As a former Chemic teacher and coach (75-78), I know the community and Kurt Faust was and is, a pillar of what should always be held strong in Midland. Winning games is important… being a “winner” is more important. You let a great one get away.
Jim Cole
Head FB Coach
Alma College Football
There are few people in life that you meet and you just know that you are a better person because you met them. Kurt Faust is one of these people. I have had the good fortune to call Kurt my friend for over 10 years know. He help raise my family. He helped when he didn’t have to. My son is a much better QB because of him. He and I thank you Kurt. He has touched the lives of many people and I’m proud to say that I am one of them. The Midland community has lost a great one. Kurt is and always has been everything that is right about high school sport.
John Leister
Athletic Director
Offensive Coordinator
Alma College
I had the honor to play for Kurt Faust at Dow High. Today I was told that he resigned from his head coaching position! Dow High just lost a coach it can not replace. Good Luck finding anyone close to his abilities. You have an individual who takes pride in making his players accountable on and off the field. His atheletes carry the highest cumulative GPA in division II!!
In football some say that success is measured in the number of victories and losses but these people fail to see the game in its entirety. In the game there is something much more important, much greater, than the number of wins and losses, that is the building of character. Football as once explained to me is a game that instills and fosters both physical and mental growth. While wins and losses may count for a short period of time the lessons learned through the game will last a lifetime. It teaches discipline, loyalty, perseverance, hard work, and the value of working as a team. The Coach of any program has the important task of instilling these values in the hearts and minds of their players. They hold immense power of the molding of young peoples’ minds. As a current college football player I have witnessed both good and bad coaching and have learned of the extreme value of coach who takes the responsibility of imprinting these values on their players. A coach who can change the lives of their players in a positive way is much more valuable than a coach who has garnered a winning record. This said I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kurt Faust for his service to Dow High.
Playing for Kurt Faust was a privilege and an honor. He uses the game of football to teach crucial life lessons. I remember coming into two-a-days as a freshman and him saying, “It’s not just about the wins and losses, it’s about character”, this is not just something he says, it is something he lives by. Kurt Faust has had a profound impact on my life and the lives of so many players who have played for him. The lessons he teaches are priceless and He demonstrated these words many times, even when it was not the popular decision. He does what needs to be done, he is not swayed by popular opinion just the clear cut lines between what is right and wrong. Through his leadership and vision the Dow football program reached out to the community; ringing bells for the Salvation Army, reading to elementary students, working at the local elementary school carnivals, and countless other acts of kindness. He willingly and often gives of himself to help others. For years he has done the job of many men holding the position of a counselor and coach at Dow High while still balancing family and an active church life. He did more than what was asked of him and has redefined what should be expected of future coaches at Dow High. He will be greatly missed as a coach at Dow High but his impact will live on in the program for a long time. Thank you For being so much more than just a coach.
Sincerely,
Nathan Merling
i could not have put nate merlings feelings better. i feel i am a better person for being coached by Coach Faust he made me a better student and player. He made everyone acountable for there actions. He is a great man i am thankful for having him to look up to for four years. thanks coach for showing me how to be a man
We need more people like Kurt in coaching and education, not less. Wake up Dow parents-winning the game is a nice bonus, but raising responsible, caring people should be the end game!
For two of the four seasons I was at Alma College (2000-2003), Kurt Faust was offensive line coach. I was not an offensive lineman, actually I wasn’t even on the offensive side of the ball. For a coach to have such a positive impact on a player that isn’t even in direct contact with him on a daily basis is truly remarkable. Kurt Faust exemplifies the values I so deeply believe in and teach to my players everday in everything I do. Those values are commitment, discipline, effort, toughness, and pride. Kurt is a great coach and, more importantly, one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of coming into contact with. I know I have been influenced in a positive way by his mere presence. I am that much better a person for having known Kurt Faust. Thank you for our 2002 MIAA Championship. Good luck to you Coach wherever you end up. Godspeed.
Chris Davis, M. Ed.
Social Studies Teacher
Head Football Coach
Oscoda High School
Alma College Linebacker (2000-2003)
Alma Scot Forever