MUSKEGON, Mich. — It’s no secret that football is king in Muskegon.
The community comes out in full force in the fall at Hackley Stadium to cheer on their Big Reds and coaching at Muskegon comes with a lot of pressure.
That’s because the Big Reds know how to win games. In the history of the program, Muskegon has won 900 games. That’s the most victories of all time in Michigan.
So when the Big Reds started the 2023 season 0-2, many Muskegon supporters called the school in hopes of getting head coach Shane Fairfield removed from his position.
Of course, after that, Muskegon won 12 games in a row on route to the 19th state title in program history and seventh since the beginning of MHSAA.
Big Reds AD Keith Guy said at the state championship celebration on Sunday, that Fairfield’s job has always been safe. It is not up for debate.
"It's bigger than just sports," Guy said. "He is impacting lives and he is not being evaluated with how many championships he is winning. He is being evaluated with how many lives he has impacted. His kids are graduating. His kids are on the honor roll and in the national honors society. We should base it on things that really matter and is going to help these kids later in life."
Fairfield appreciates Guy having his back.
"Our 100 percent responsibility here is the concern of the kids," Fairfield said. "It is not to worry what other people's opinions are. If I don't seek you out for information or consider you being in my circle than your opinion doesn't matter to me. As long as he knows, the school knows, the administration knows that what we are doing for the kids is the right thing."
With three more wins, Fairfield will become the all-time winningest coach in Muskegon football history.
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