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Former Michigan football superstar elevated to interim head coach at Livingston County high school

Program is for postgraduate, 13-year high school students

A former Michigan Wolverines superstar player has been promoted to interim head coach for LEAD Prep Academy in Livingston County. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A former Michigan Wolverines superstar player has been promoted to interim head coach for LEAD Prep Academy in Livingston County.

Former quarterback Denard Robinson, who spent four seasons lighting up the scoreboard inside the Big House, is now an interim head coach for the postgraduate, 13th-year high school in Brighton.

In the meantime, the football program will begin searching for a permanent head coach, Robinson, or, as Michigan fans call him, “Shoelace,” who is considered a strong candidate for the position.

“This has always been the plan,” said LPA Athletic Director Eric Figurski. “Coach Adams was the right person to lead the program in year one, and we are now positioned for growth with him as GM. We are excited to name Coach Robinson as interim head coach. He believes in the program and has set the standard with his approach and body of work as a former athlete and coach.”

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Shoelace is a National Football League veteran and the all-time leader at Michigan for total yards (10,172) and touchdowns (91).

In 2010, he became the first player in NCAA history to throw for over 2,500 yards and rush for over 1,500 yards in the same season, finishing sixth in Heisman voting.

After his NFL career, Robinson transitioned to coaching, holding positions on staff with Jacksonville University, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and most recently, the men in maize during their undefeated 15-0 season, during which they secured the College Football Playoff 2023-24 National Championship.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with Head coach Jim Harbaugh after defeating the Washington Huskies during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Michigan defeated Washington 34-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) (2024 Getty Images)

Robinson is entering a program ready to ascend to new heights, as LPA exceeded expectations in its inaugural season under Adams.

The program fielded a roster of over 65 student-athletes and played a 10-game national schedule in 2024.

The schedule included six games against junior varsity teams from DII programs that were actively recruiting the LPA Kings roster, a trip to West Point to play Army’s JV team in the iconic Michie Stadium, and a final road trip of the season to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for a bowl-game feel.

Adams is expected to lead the team onto the field for the last time this Saturday (Nov. 9) as the Kings play their final game of the season at home at the Legacy Center in Brighton at 6 p.m.

Click here to learn more.

Denard Robinson and Taylor Lewan celebrate Michigan's game-winning touchdown to beat Notre Dame in the first night game at Michigan Stadium. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

About the Author
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Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.

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