Football, leadership embedded in new Northville coach’s DNA
Brent Luplow was the Brighton High School offensive coordinator for four seasons.
The son of a hall of fame high school coach, Brent Luplow grew up on the sidelines of Clare High School’s football field, absorbing knowledge that would assist him down the road.
Luplow was hired as Northville High School’s football coach in February.
The 29-year-old Brighton High School teacher and South Lyon resident replaces Matt Ladach, who resigned following the Mustangs’ ultra-successful 2022 season.
Luplow’s father, Kelly Luplow, was the head coach at Clare High School for 34 years before stepping down in May of 2022.
Kelly Luplow was inducted into the Michigan School High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame after compiling a 251-95 record.
Easy decision
Brent Luplow said accepting the offer to become the next Northville High School head football coach was as easy as taking a knee in a last-play victory formation.
“This is a such a first-class place; and Coach Ladach ran such a great program,” Luplow said. “In the two months since I was hired, the kids have been incredibly respectful and the community has been very supportive.
“It’s nice coaching in a one-school city because the local teams receive such amazing support. I loved coaching at Brighton (he was the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator since the 2019 season) and I’ll miss the kids and the members of the coaching staff, but this was too good to pass up. I feel very fortunate.”
Coaching, teaching in family’s DNA
The Luplow family tree has whistles hanging from practically every branch. Brent’s sisters Reyna (basketball) and Jillian (basketball) both coach high school sports, following in their father’s legendary footsteps. And Brent’s wife, Mary, is a high school lacrosse coach.
“My mom (Christine) doesn’t coach, but she’s an absolute saint,” Brent said. “We’re all teachers, which is fun because we can all learn things from one another.”
Of the millions of lessons he learned from his dad — football-related and otherwise — Luplow said two have resonated the deepest.
“My dad always preached the importance of mental toughness,” Brent said. “And always do the right thing. When you have an opportunity to make somebody else’s life better, do it.”
Luplow said his dad will join him on the sidelines beginning this fall as an assistant coach.
Exciting times ahead
The opening month of the 2023 season promises to be memorable for Luplow and the Mustangs. Northville will battle Clarkston in the season opener at the University of Michigan stadium.
On Sept. 8, Northville will travel to Brighton.
“The game at Brighton will be emotional for me, obviously,” Luplow said. “Brighton — the players, coaches and community — treated me great. Walking into the visitors’ locker room will be kind of surreal. It will be a fun, exciting night.”
Following a stellar playing career at Clare High School where he was a member of the 2009 Division 5 state runner-up team, Luplow attended Alma College, where he played quarterback and earned a degree in education.
As a senior at Alma, Luplow was nominated for the All-State AFCA Good Works Team, which celebrates college football players who double as community leaders.
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