Noel Dean was announced as the new head coach for the Chelsea High School football program for the upcoming 2024-2025 season o Jan. 25.
“I am excited to join a community that appreciates high academic standards, developing strong character in all of our students, while still pursuing championships on the field. Chelsea is a perfect match for my wife and myself and we cannot wait to be involved with the entire Chelsea community,” Dean said in a press release.
A member of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Dean brings a wealth of experience and an impressive track record to the Bulldogs, according to a press release from the district.
He will become the fifth head Bulldog Football coach since 1966, joining Phil Bareis 1966-1978, Eugene LaFave 1979-1996, Brad Bush 1997-2017, and Josh Lucas 2018-2023.
Chelsea High School Principal Nick Angel said in a press release, “Coach Dean brings a tremendous amount of experience to our program with core values being at the center of his coaching philosophy. Coach Dean understands the role of the development of the entire student-athlete and this aligns with the principles of our Chelsea Community. We will continue to prioritize strong participation rates, high academic standards, character development and competitive teams that are rooted in multi-sport athletes, a commitment to our strength and conditioning program and doing things the ‘Bulldog Way’. We are excited to have Coach Dean joining our well-established family.”
Athletic Director Matt Cunningham said, “While Coach Dean has an exemplary track record on the field, his commitment to building character and influencing the lives of the students he coaches is equally impressive. His vision for what a successful program looks like aligns with the values the Chelsea School District seeks to maximize the potential of our students. I am excited to welcome Noel, his wife Jill, and the rest of the Dean family to the Chelsea community to lead
our football program.”
Dean’s coaching journey began in 1991 when, at the age of 22, he assumed the role of head coach at Bendle High (Burton, MI). His coaching career reached its pinnacle at Lowell High School (Grand Rapids), where his teams secured state titles in 2002, 2004, and 2009.
Under his leadership and direction, Lowell’s football program achieved three additional appearances in the state finals, nine regional championships, 12 district titles, 10 conference championships, 20 playoff appearances and 15 Academic All-State teams.
Dean has spent the last three seasons as the head coach of Tift County (Tifton, Georgia) and is eager and excited to return home to Michigan and to lead the Bulldog program.
He has a coaching record of 241-68 and an extraordinary streak of 25 consecutive winning seasons with Lowell High and Bendle High.
