By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
New Dowagiac football coach Michael Stanger knows plenty about the Chieftains' long tradition on the gridiron and about the community itself.
That's because he spent a lot of time researching the program and the City of Dowagiac on the internet.
Stanger, 29, said that he is looking forward to getting to town and getting started.
Stanger, an assistant coach at Bremen High School in Midlothian, Ill., said that the community and its support of the football program was a big factor in applying for the position.
Stanger was named Dowagiac's newest football coach on Monday.
Stanger, who along with his wife Melissa and their soon-to-be two-year-old daughter, are looking forward to getting into the community and becoming involved.
He pointed out that Dowagiac appears to be a tight-knit community. He feels that the football program does not just belong to the high school, but belongs to the community as a whole.
Stanger said he was impressed with the facilities and the fact that the football field is in a high profile position in the community.
Stanger also said Dowagiac was appealing because it is close enough to Chicago that he can remain in close contact with his family.
His first act as head coach will be to sit down with the coaches and just talk and get to know one an another.