2007 WHITMORE LAKE H.S. FOOTBALL STAFF

John Priestap, Head Football Coach
Coach Priestap proudly begins his fourth year with the Trojan football program.  2007 will be his second season as Varsity Head Coach.  Coach Priestap served as a student assistant at John Carroll University in 1995 when he was red-shirted due to injury.  Upon graduation, Coach Priestap accepted the position of Wide Receivers Coach at his alma mater.  Coach Priestap was a three-year starter at wide receiver for J.C.U..  Still the only wide receiver in J.C.U. history to record back-to-back 50 catch seasons, Coach Priestap was also nominated for the Melberger Award (NCAA Division III Player of the Year) in 1998.  Coach Priestap was selected to one of the All-Ohio Athletic Conference teams in both 1997 and 1998 and was named his teams Most Valuable Offensive Player in 1997.  He captained the 1998 squad.  Coach Priestap is married to his wife, Greta, and they have one son, Cade Nicholas Priestap.

Bill Bellers, Varsity Assistant Football Coach
Coach Bellers joins the Whitmore Lake football staff in 2007 as Defensive Coordinator.  A graduate of Lincoln Consolidated High School, Coach Bellers went on to play two years of football at Adrian College.  Coach Bellers then returned to Lincoln where he served one season as a varsity assistant followed by two years as a JV coach.  In 2004, Coach Bellers served as the head seventh grade coach for Milan Middle School.  In 2005 and 2006, Coach Bellers served as the defensive coordinator for Livonia Clarenceville HS.  Coach Bellers is married to his wife, Lisa.

Patrick Heenan, Varsity Assistant Football Coach
Coach Heenan begins his second season as a member of the Trojan staff.  A former standout center (and All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection) at John Carroll University (OH), Coach Heenan will bring his expertise to the team's offensive line and linebackers.  Coach Heenan was an outstanding prep player for Kalamazoo Loy Norrix HS before earning three letters at John Carroll University.  Coach Heenan is married to his wife Melanie, and they are the proud parents of two daughters, Grace and Hanna.

Will Johnson '02, Junior Varsity Head Football Coach
Coach Johnson continues his acceleration through the Whitmore Lake High School coaching tree.  Coach Johnson has been a tremendous asset to the Trojan program as he most recently served as the Head Coach for the Junior Varsity.  Another former Whitmore Lake player, Coach Johnson is currently advancing toward his teaching certificate at Eastern Michigan University.

Kevin Cox, Varsity Assistant Football Coach 
Coach Cox enters his second season with the Whitmore Lake Football Staff.  Junior Varsity Offensive Coordinator in 2006, Coach Cox will work with the Varsity Staff in 2007.  A terrific high school QB at nearby Lincoln Consolidated HS, Coach Cox advanced his game to Lakeland College (WI).  Coach Cox has tremendous knowledge of the game.  His father, Roger Cox, retired from high school coaching after an outstanding career. 

Gabe Burdette, Junior Varsity Offensive Coordinator
Coach Burdette begins his career with the Whitmore Lake football program as its JV Offensive Coordinator.  Coach Burdette played for Lincoln Consolidated HS before advancing to Kalamazoo College.  Coach Burdette played two years of football and four years of baseball at Kalamazoo College.  Upon graduation, Coach Burdette returned to Lincoln HS as a JV Assistant Coach.  His second year at Lincoln Coach Burdette served  as the Freshmen Defensive Coordinator.  In 2004, Coach Burdette became an Assistant JV Coach at Ann Arbor Pioneer HS before serving as their Freshmen Team's Offensive Coordinator the past two seasons.  Coach Burdette and his wife, Tara, have one son, Owen Levi Burdette.

Casey Livingston, Junior Varsity Assistant Football Coach
Coach Livingston joins the Trojan staff in 2007 as an assistant with the junior varsity program.  Coach Livingston will tach at Whitmore Lake High School this year.  He played basketball at Concordia College as well as high school football and basketball at  St. Clair High School.

Dave Bailey, Director of Fundraising & Marketing
Coach Bailey tirelessly leads the marketing and fundraising opportunities for the Whitmore Lake Football Program.  Coach Bailey will continue to help with the football program in multiple capacities.