Escanaba Eskymos Football Coach Howes Resigning

ESCANABA---Escanaba High School football coach Dave Howes announced his resignation Monday night. Howes leaves after a successful six years at the helm of the Eskymo program, having made the state playoffs in all six of those seasons.

"I knew going in six years ago that it was going to be a short term deal and not a long term deal," Howes told RRN Sports Monday night. "I have young kids and as they got older, and older, and older, I knew that at some point, I had to become a better parent, and not be a coach, and be more of a parent. Now's the time."

Escanaba Athletic Director Tony Perino said Howes will be missed.

"As we know, Coach Howes won many games and did fantastic things for years at the helm here at EHS," Perino told RRN Sports. "Cannot thank him enough. This was a a tough decisio for Dave and for myself. I had to actually agree to his terms. All joking aside, coaching football is a year-round job. Dave did what was best for his family and I respect that."

Howes had the respect of his players, and they also considered him a friend.

"I wouldn't be the player I am today without him," said senior wide receiver Bryant Maki, who will play next fall at Michigan Tech University. "I feel like we had a great connection as a player and coach, along with a kid and mentor. He was a great coach and I wouldn't have wanted anyone else in that position. He understood us as platers and there was a mutual respect between all of us."

Howes leaves with a 41-19 overall record, including 7-6 in playoff games. The secret?

"I think having the same coaching staff for the past six years, you know, having those same guys, knowing what we were doing, keeping the consistency with what our plans are, what our goals and our passion is," Howes said. "And I think we've had some good kids. They played their hearts out for us."

Howes' first team, in 2015, went 5-4, and lost a tough opening round playoff game at Big Rapids. Then despite playing in a tough Great Northern Conference, and playing against large schools from Lower Michigan and Wisconsin, Howes' teams went 7-2 in the regular season in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. 

His 2016 team won two playoff games before falling to Grand Rapids Central in the regional final. Howes' best team, in 2017, won three playoff games before again falling to GRCC, this time in the state semifinals.

And in 2018, after winning two playoff games, the third time was not the charm, as the Eskymos again lost to the powerhouse GRCC squad. In 2019, after another 7-2 season, the Eskymos lost their playoff opener at home to Cadillac.

The COVID-19 crisis hit the Eskymo schedule hard in 2020, with the team playing only two regular season games, before losing a playoff opening round game at Alma.

And now Howes will be able to watch his son play in the rival Gladstone program.

"As sad as I am to see him go, Coach Howes leaves the program in a strong positive position for years to come, and for our new head coach," Perino said.

Perino says that after Christmas break, the position will be posted intenally, and then externally. The candidates will be screened, and then there will be an interview process.

"It's been a great run," Howes said. "I'm going to be sad to see it end, but there's things ahead for myself, and for my kids, and we'll see what happens."

HOWES ESCANABA RECORD (PLAYOFF)

2015 5-5 (0-1)

2016 9-3 (2-1)

2017 10-3 (3-1)

2018 9-3 (2-1)

2019 7-3 (0-1)

2020 1-2 (0-1)