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Long time Eisenhower coach to take over program at Stoney Creek
Rochester Hills – When Bob Lantzy left Utica Eisenhower after the 2011 season few, if any, thought the school’s only head football coach would come back to be a head coach at the varsity level.
Lantzy, 70, is indeed back. Rick Jakacki, the athletic director at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, made the official announcement Wednesday afternoon with most of the members of the football program as his audience.
Brad Zube, Stoney Creek’s coach last season, left to take over the program at Ortonville Brandon leaving the door open for Lantzy.
Lantzy began coaching in 1969 at Utica High as an assistant coach. The next season he went to Eisenhower, which opened that fall. Eisenhower played its first full varsity schedule in 1971.
Lantzy quickly put the program on the map and is considered not one of the state’s most successful coaches but also one of the most innovative. Lantzy, with Terry Copacia as his offensive assistant, turned the Eagles into one of the most prolific offenses. As time went on Eisenhower became known more for its defensive prowess than offensively.
Four times Eisenhower reached a Class A final but the program has never won a state title.
Lantzy’s 41-year coaching record is 304-115-1 and his teams qualified for the playoffs 20 times.
The past two season he coached a junior high program in the Romeo school district. That experience gave Lantzy a jolt of energy and if he had not coached at that level it’s possible hi might not have returned as a high school coach.
“I enjoyed it so much,” Lantzy said. “You tell them something and they do it. It’s an immediate feedback thing.
“They’re so positive (at Stoney Creek). It was the right situation. It’ll be good to compete in a different league.”
Eisenhower is a member of the Macomb Area Conference Red Division. Stoney Creek is a member of the Oakland Activities Association Red Division.
Stoney Creek was 3-6 Last season. The program has qualified for the playoffs three times and has never won a playoff game.
Jakacki said his office received 36 applicants for the position, 10 interviews were conducted and there were three finalists.
