Dan Purlee is promoted to head football coach position at Edwardsburg
A familiar face will now lead the way of the highly successful Edwardsburg High School football program.
The school announced Friday evening that Dan Purlee has been chosen to take over the Eddies.
Purlee, who has been a member of the Eddies coaching staff for the past two seasons, replaces longtime coach Kevin Bartz. Bartz resigned in February after 28 seasons as the man in charge of the powerful program.
'The right time': Kevin Bartz resigns as Edwardsburg football coach after 28 seasons
Bartz was 216-78 at EHS, including a Division 4 state championship in 2018. He also guided the Eddies to a state runner-up finish in 2017, along with eight trips to the state semifinals, including the past two years. Bartz, just one of four southwestern Michigan football coaches with over 200 career wins, also guided the Eddies to 10 straight conference titles.
Bartz, who remains a teacher at EHS, spent a total of 32 years in the Edwardsburg football program. His final team last fall included a large senior class, including his son Zach.
“The committee interviewed an outstanding group of coaches for the head coaching position," said Edwardsburg High School principal Ryan Markel in a release issued early Friday evening. "Based on the foundations and success our football program has experienced over the last decades, this was a very attractive position.
“The committee selected Coach Purlee based on his success as a head coach and his ability to develop his players and create a championship program. Coach Purlee’s experience in our program the last two years has allowed him the ability to develop relationships with our current players and gain an understanding of our strengths and areas we can improve.”
Purlee has previously served as the head coach at Ross Beatty High School in Cassopolis for eight years, compiling a 70-22 record. During his time as the head coach at Cassopolis, Purlee led his team to six conference championships, four district championships, and two regional championships.
The Eddies finished 11-2 during the 2022 campaign. Edwardsburg closed the season with a 26-20 loss to Grand Rapids South Christian in the state semifinals. Grand Rapids South Christian then went on to win the state championship.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Dan Purlee takes over the Edwardsburg football program
