Suttons Bay Public School announced a new era for the Norsemen football program by hiring Tony West.
West takes over as head coach of the varsity team after having already served as head coach at the JV and middle school levels for Suttons Bay.
“To say I am excited for this opportunity would be an understatement,” West said. “My excitement is driven by the foundation set by exceptional coaches that have come before me, plus a program with such a deep history in our community. The game of football has so many life lessons separate from just the X’s and O’s. Those lessons are teamwork, discipline, integrity, and overcoming adversity. That is going to be the focus of our student-athletes. I will work to continue to develop the aspects of creating great leaders. Friday nights this fall will be here soon enough, but first, it’s time to put in the WORK! I am looking forward to connecting with the players and parents. GO NORSEMEN!!”
West became coach after Garrick Opie stepped away from the program after nearly a decade of service.
“My excitement is backed just by the foundation that’s been set before me,” West said. “The amazing crew up in Peshawbestown, Lake Leelanau, Suttons Bay, the surrounding trifecta of great people that I can’t wait to meet and get this new journey rocking man.”
The youth football pipeline has started back up in the past few years, which has West excited about the future of Norsemen football.
“It just takes a group of people to help each other out. And that’s my focus.
We’re going to be a team that is going to represent the community,” West said. “It’s about integrity; it’s about sportsmanship, and it’s about overcoming adversity ... I was looking for some adult mentors besides just at home and family amid struggles I had as a youth, and football was that outlet for me.”
West, a Traverse City Central graduate, reports good numbers heading into the final few months of the 2024-25 school year.
West ensures that safety will be at the forefront of the Norsemen program with precautionary equipment, including the use of a padded cushion called “Guardian caps” on players’ helmets.
Suttons Bay and Lake Leelanau St. Mary will continue the long tradition of co-oping into the future.
“It’s a special thing. It’s cool that even though these guys get on a basketball court and compete hard against each other, even after the competition gets done, you saw it in in the regular season finale, these dudes are hugging together.
They’re crying together. They go into battle on the gridiron for football and compete with each other,” West said.
Suttons Bay Athletic Director Jamie Hawkins said they are thrilled with the hiring of West.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tony West as the new head coach of our varsity football program. Tony brings a wealth of experience, a deep passion for the game, and a strong commitment to developing our student-athletes both on and off the field. His leadership and vision align perfectly with our program’s values, and we are excited to see him build upon the strong tradition of Suttons Bay football. We look forward to an exciting season under his guidance.”
Outside of athletics, West is a well-known local entrepreneur. His latest project is the opening of a new restaurant in Lake Leelanau called “Locals Lake Leelanau.” It is slated to open in early May and will offer a fullservice restaurant, merchandise, catering, and community events in Leelanau County.
