Jim DeWald

The Detroit Lions recently honored Seaholm High School physical education teacher and football coach Jim DeWald as the second week recipient of the 2025 Detroit Lions High School Football Coach of the Week Program, presented by Carhartt.

According to the Detroit Lions’ website, each week through the 2025 regular football season, one coach is recognized for their commitment to team, school and community as well as success on the field and development of players’ character, discipline and football skills with an emphasis on player health and safety.

“I didn’t expect it. I was shocked when they reached out to me,” he said, adding. “Receiving this honor was very humbling. It follows many years of hard work and being surrounded by a great coaching team. It’s been a cool journey. God works in mysterious ways, and I’ve been very lucky and blessed.”

DeWald is in his 24th season of coaching high school football and his 14th season as head coach at Seaholm High School. Earlier this season, DeWald became the winningest football coach in Seaholm’s history. Prior to his current position, he coached at Andover High School and Pontiac Northern High School.

“Teaching and coaching kids makes you stay young. You see yourself and some of your friends at that age in certain kids – they are young, like to laugh, and have insecurities and innocence about them. I watch the development from freshman to senior years and I’m so proud of them. It’s a joy watching them grow and helping to push each of them toward being a better person and member of society,” he explained.

“My job as a coach is getting my players to take their training and use it to execute and learn from their mistakes and hopefully not repeat them. They need to know that I’m trustworthy and have their best interests at heart.”

DeWald grew up in Tustin, California where he played several sports with football being his favorite. He moved to Michigan to attend and play football for Western Michigan University (WMU) where he played on the offensive line and was team captain. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in physical education, he continued his education at the university by earning a master’s degree in athletic administration while launching his football coaching career as a graduate assistant.

During his WMU years, he met his wife, Erin Keating DeWald, a Birmingham native and fourth generation realtor, which brought him to the Birmingham area instead of returning to California after graduation.

“Seaholm is a special place, and I love teaching and coaching here. I live in the community, and my wife and kids went to Seaholm. I was able to coach both of my boys, James and Caden, and that was really cool,” said the Birmingham resident.

“Outside of school, I’m just a normal dude who’s addicted to golf when it’s not football season. I love to cook and sit outside with my wife listening to music with a glass of wine or to go on a date night with her,” he said. “I’ve come to really appreciate the simple pleasures in life.”

Through his decades of teaching and coaching, DeWald reflected: “My advice to other coaches is to trust your heart and gut and to be consistent – being consistent is hard but it’s so important. Every single day, kids need truth, consistency and to know the expectations without any guessing games. They also need excitement and fun.”

He added, “Through the ups and downs, I appreciate what sports did for me…I believe kids are still kids, but society has changed around them. Kids still want to learn and do their best – they’re tough and resilient so parents don’t always need to jump in and do things for them. They’ll step forward and figure it out.”

Story: Tracy Donohue

Photo: Laurie Tennent