Gull Lake High School has canceled its varsity football season for 2026 due to inadequate player participation. The decision, announced on August 12, was made to prioritize the safety and well-being of student-athletes. The situation has been compounded by ongoing investigations into reported misconduct by coaches during a recent football camp, leading to changes in the coaching staff. As a result, the team's opening game on August 27 against Marshall will not occur, though junior varsity activities will proceed as planned.

By the Numbers
  • Gull Lake's varsity football team was set to open the season on August 27.
  • Head coach Jalon Simpson was placed on paid administrative leave following investigations into reported misconduct.
State of Play
  • Ongoing investigations by Michigan State Police and school officials are looking into allegations of misconduct at a camp in June.
  • Junior varsity activities will continue under interim head coach Josh Cunningham.
What's Next

Gull Lake will focus on maintaining safety and proper engagement in junior varsity activities while addressing the fallout from the investigations. The district may seek to resolve the coaching and safety issues before considering a return to varsity football in subsequent seasons.

Bottom Line

The cancellation reflects the district's commitment to athlete safety amidst troubling allegations and insufficient participation. Moving forward, it will be crucial for the school to rebuild its football program and address underlying issues to restore trust within the community.