Jonesville hires new varsity football coach

27-year-old Joshua Lindeman is set on bringing what he calls "The Comet Way" to Jonesville, and now he'll get an opportunity, as the Comets varsity football coach.

It was finalized Monday that Lindeman, a Hudson High School graduate, will be the successor to Brian Stroble, who resigned in late March after three seasons at the helms.

Lindeman graduated from Adrian College in 2005, and has coached at various positions for JV and varsity programs at the Class A level ever since. He has garnered experience at Tecumseh, Ann Arbor Pioneer and Ann Arbor Skyline, and he is also finishing up his third year of teaching at Jackson High School.

When he heard the Comet job was opening up he said it felt like the perfect opportunity in an ideal community, where he can do what he loves most — work with kids, change lives, and be around football.

"Jonesville is one of those jobs that just fit. I'm a small town guy, I think I understand both athletes from this size area, as well as from bigger schools, from four years in Class A, and I think I can help build this program up," he said.

Lindeman was married last July and is not yet a father, so he believes he has the time and resources to build something special, starting June 8 when offseason football workouts officially start.

"There are three things in my life. First is my faith and family, second is teaching, because I love it and it pays the bills, and third is football. I told my wife what she was getting into when we got married, she knows I love football, and I'm excited about this chance," he said.

Lindeman said he has a vision for the program, which begins at the seventh grade level with youth football, and focuses on one philosophy from middle school up to the varsity squad —a philosophy he calls"The Comet Way".

"The five things are commitment, optimism, maturity, enthusiasm and teamwork. I think I've learned some 'Dos and Don'ts ' of building programs the last few years and I'll use that knowledge and experience," he said.

Lindeman also said he believes communication between the program and the community, parents, students and the administration is vital. He said the football program is working on setting up a community-wide get together for late May to introduce Lindeman to the community, while also presenting a forum for public comment.

The Comets have gone 10-17 the last three years, including a 5-4 mark in 2008.
The next order of business is for Lindeman to hire his staff, which he said could include some holdovers from Stroble's staff, as well as some new faces.