LIVONIA, Mich. – Madonna University Director of Athletics Noel Emenhiser announced on Friday, December 1, that Head Football Coach, Herb Haygood will be accepting a new position as assistant director of admissions for the University, and therefore, stepping down as Head Football Coach.

"We are grateful to Coach Haygood for the time, dedication and effort he has given to Madonna University and to Madonna Football in order to see the program grow", Emenhiser said. "His commitment to the community, academics, and the development of young men has been incredible. We are thankful for all that he has done here at Madonna." 

"I leave with gratitude for the experience of building a football program, respect for the student-athletes, and a deep appreciation for the unwavering support of the parents and fans. This chapter may close, but the love for the game and the memories forged will endure forever", Haygood said.

Haygood has been with the Crusaders from the very beginning as he was originally brought in as the defensive coordinator in July of 2019 under first-ever head coach Brian Foos. When Foos stepped down, Haygood was appointed interim head coach in December of 2020.

Haygood and the Crusaders took the field for the first time in March of 2021 during the 2020-21 season. After the third game of the season, the interim tag was lifted and Haygood officially became head coach for the Crusaders. The announcement came days after the program made history with the first points of the season as they scored 17 points against No. 6 Concordia University (Mich.) on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

After coaching the four games in the 2020-21 season, and three full seasons, Coach Haygood had a total of 10 players make a Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) All-Conference team. Mitch Nguyen, Jesse Morris, and Julius Adams All-Conference Honorable Mentions for the 2021 season. Cortland Cochran, Jakel Davis and Carl Ware all were All-Conference Honorable Mentions for the 2022 season. For the 2023 season, offensive lineman Owen Spell represented Madonna University on the Second Team All-Conference list. The freshman anchored an offensive line this season for the Crusaders. Spell is the first player in program history to be named First or Second Team All-Conference. Michael Momoh, Tommy Larson and Will Fennema all were Honorable Mentions. A couple of Crusaders were even invited to a couple different 'Senior Bowl' games. In 2022, Dy'Shone Hayes was invited to the Free Agent Football (FAF) Senior Bowl and in early November, D'Vonta Garrett and Tommy Larson were invited to the 2024 Podyum All-Star Bowl in Miami, Florida which will be held from January 3-6.

In the classroom, Haygood held the Crusaders to a high standard, 54 players (not counting the 2023 season) were named to the MSFA All-Academic Team, recipients must be at least a sophomore or above and obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Off the field, the Crusader football program was also awarded the 2020 and 2021 Community Service Team of the Year in the Madonna Athletics 'Blue & Gold Awards'. Coach Haygood brought 'Victory Day' to Madonna Athletics, an event set up for cognitively and physically impaired children/adults to have an opportunity to play Football, Volleyball, Track, Soccer or cheer and have their "moment in the sun". Each participant is partnered up with a Madonna student-athlete who serves as their mentor for the day. Haygood and his team partnered with the University's College of Nursing and Health to put on a Be the Match program to recruit bone marrow donors. He also was able to send five players to the Ultimate Training Camp, where God, faith, and sport unite, and they learned how to have a healthier relationship with their sport and the principles for handling victory, loss, injuries, teamwork, and everything in between; from a Biblical perspective. Haygood helped these same young men start a Madonna University chapter of Athletes in Action -- a faith-based organization for college athletes around the country.

UP NEXT:

Madonna University will conduct a national search for the next leader of the football program.

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