For seven years, Ken Rose was the varsity football coach.  On Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, the Board of Education decided not to renew the appointment for coach Rose to continue coaching in the 2011 season.

“For over a decade coach Rose has been a teacher, role model, and coach on and off the field,” said Mr. Ryan Portenga, who is the athletic director.  “For decades to come he will still influence and impact Sailors.”

Coach Rose was devastated when he was given the news about not being the coach for seasons to come.

“(I felt) knocked down, upset, disappointed.  We were not done learning, growing, improving, and building yet,” coach Rose said.  “We were stopped in the middle of the construction project where we were building a great, respectable, competitive football program.”

While his overall record of 22-41 was respectable, coach Rose said he was still proud of the entire team when they played against local rivals because he loved the community support and fan excitement. 

“I am just as proud of the guys after a tough, hard fought loss as I am with a tough, grudge match win,” coach Rose said.  “Winning with grace and dignity is just as important as losing with class and self-control.  All of it builds and reflects a person’s character.”

Coach Rose has been coaching for a total of 16 years, two years at Grand Haven JV, two years Mona Shores freshman, two years Mona Shores JV, three years Mona Shores varsity assistant, and seven years as varsity head coach.  However, coach Rose said he did not just impact the team; he impacted the entire Shores community.

“Coaching and impacting young students through athletics is a ‘calling.’  It is how I best make a difference in my players’ lives,” coach Rose said.  “For 14 years (at Mona Shores), I believe I made a positive difference in many people’s lives.  We taught and reinforced life lessons that will stay with our players well into adulthood.”

Coach Rose, who is a social studies teacher at the high school, said he loved coaching more than anything.

“I love the game.  There’s no better sport in the world,” coach Rose said.  “Coaching is the next best thing to playing, and at my age, like (NFL quarterback Brett) Favre, I would be broken all the time if I still played.”

Leaving behind the players, assistant coaches, and facilities is going to be the toughest part for coach Rose, but he said he did enjoy his time as coach more than anyone could know.

“I have had an amazing time coaching football at Mona Shores.  I love the coaches that I’ve worked with; many are my best friends and will be for ever,” coach Rose said.  “I love all the players, especially the ones that have gone the extra mile to please the coaching staff, to do the right things on and off the field, to earn or keep a spot on the field.”

He wants the Shores community to remember him by how much effort he put into the team.

“I was all in,” coach Rose said.  “I gave it my all every day, all the time, win or lose.  I loved the game of football, I loved my players and all the coaches that worked with me were great role models and positive examples for our players.”

Coach Rose is moving on to different things this next year.

“I promised my family I would take a year off,” coach Rose said.  “(I will) spend all that free time with family and friends, traveling, relaxing and having fun.”

Although coach Rose is not coaching right now, he loves the game too much to stay away for too long.

“I will coach football again, sometime, somewhere,” coach Rose said.