Stan Pasch, a veteran high school football coach, marks an impressive milestone this year as he celebrates 50 years of coaching.
From his start at Beal City to leading teams across northern Michigan, Pasch’s dedication to the sport and its players has been a cornerstone of his career.
“Where else would you like to be on a Friday night,” Pasch said.
For Pasch, Friday nights will always be spent on the gridiron.
Pasch’s football journey began during his school days at Beal City, followed by playing at Central Michigan University. This path eventually led him to a long and successful career coaching high school football.
“Coaching is a very rewarding experience, to be able to work with these kids and mold these young men… It’s just been a great experience for me. I’m very blessed and humbled.”
He played for the Chippewas for one year as a tight end and defensive end. During the spring, he began coaching by helping linebackers and defensive ends with their reads, gaining valuable experience.
During his sophomore year, Pasch started coaching at the JV level at Beal City, where he stayed for three years before moving up to varsity. He coached for one year at a school in Indiana before relocating to northern Michigan.
Pasch credits the many parents over the years who supported and sacrificed for the team.
Pasch began his northern Michigan prep coaching career at Traverse City St. Francis in 1980, where he spent 16 years, with a five-year stint coaching at Suttons Bay in the mid-1980s. After bouncing back and forth over a couple of decades, Pasch came back to Suttons Bay in 2000.
Pasch returned to Suttons Bay, where he coached 11-man football and later transitioned the team to 8-man football in the mid-2010s. He acknowledges the biggest change in the game has been the evolution of offensive strategies since 2000.
“I think with the spread and motion, the passing game has become much more important, especially in small schools. A lot of schools are now throwing the ball 30-40% of the time instead of 10-15% when I started,” Pasch said.
Former Suttons Bay Superintendent Pat Goddard hired him and he has been bleeding red and white ever since.
No matter where he coached, Pasch always taught the bright minds of Suttons Bay students. In 2019, Pasch took a position at Lake Leelanau St. Mary.
For his coaching future, Pasch will continue trusting his instincts.
“Stay true to what you believe in. Run traps, double team, and play tough. Keep working on a passing defense,” Pasch said.
Pasch believes that the bond between teammates is essential in building a good, even elite, team.
“They develop together if they push and help each other. That bonding is really important,” Pasch said.
Since 2000, Pasch has hosted a summer football camp at his family lake near Beal City. The Norsemen participate in teambuilding activities and scrimmage with Beal City and Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.
“I’d just like to thank the administrations that have been very supportive of everything we’ve done. That sure helps a lot when you get that administrative level behind you. I’ve also worked with and coached against great people, learning from each other. I didn’t invent anything new; I just do what everybody else does—get the kids ready,” Pasch said.
