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Brad Marchand returns to hockey heaven with Panthers, sets gold standard for trade-deadline pickups

SUNRISE, Fla. — From the trade deadline bargain bin to a Stanley Cup champion in a little over three months, Brad Marchand is the new gold standard for how an in-season pickup can reinvigorate an NHL team. The Florida Panthers surrendered a future first-round pick to the Boston Bruins and paid Marchand just $109,375 in […]

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SUNRISE, Fla. — From the trade deadline bargain bin to a Stanley Cup champion in a little over three months, Brad Marchand is the new gold standard for how an in-season pickup can reinvigorate an NHL team.

The Florida Panthers surrendered a future first-round pick to the Boston Bruins and paid Marchand just $109,375 in salary before turning him loose for an unforgettable spring on the edge of the Everglades.

Marchand scored 10 goals from the third line during Florida’s second straight championship run, helping transform the Panthers into the deepest team in hockey. That included two game-winners during a six-game Cup Final win over the Edmonton Oilers that ended up being much more lopsided than the battle between the teams last June.

The biggest difference?

The presence of a 37-year-old who brought the tenacity of a champion to the lineup and the joy of a kid to the dressing room. Marchand and the Panthers proved to be a match made in hockey heaven — above even the expectations of the player himself.

“You never know how things are going to play out,” Marchand said. “I just wanted to come in and buy in and be part of the group and play whatever role I was put in and do it to the best I possibly can. When you walk into this room and you see what guys are putting themselves through every day to prepare and to sacrifice and how dialed in they are, you just kind of follow suit.

“They’ve built an incredible culture in this room. It’s very easy to follow. And when you do that, you just leave it all on the ice. We have a good team, so good things happen in here and we have a lot of fun.”

Marchand unleashed 14 years of pent-up emotion when he lifted the Stanley Cup above his head again at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday night. He’d won the trophy with the Bruins in 2011 at the end of his first full NHL season, but was on the losing end of championship series in 2013 and 2019.


Brad Marchand first lifted the Stanley Cup in 2011. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

He vowed to treat this opportunity like it might be his last.

That capped a remarkable run for the veteran winger in Florida after being one of the final players moved before the March 7 trade deadline. Marchand didn’t make his Panthers debut until March 28 because of injury, but looked immediately at home after finding a spot on the third line beside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen.

That trio chewed through opponents all spring, with Florida outscoring its opponents 21-7 during Marchand’s five-on-five minutes. Multiple Panthers labeled them the team’s most effective line while dispatching the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes and Oilers on the way to another championship.

Needless to say, the first trade of Marchand’s NHL career worked out better than anyone could have imagined. He admitted to feeling anxious about the move after 16 seasons in Boston and wasn’t initially sure how he’d even fit in with the Panthers.

“When you look at the lineup, I was honestly like, ‘I think I’m playing fourth line again. Back to my roots,’” Marchand said. “I didn’t have many expectations. I knew playing against the Panthers this year that they were the team that I felt in the East was the team that was going to make a run. So I was just excited to be part of it. I didn’t have expectations of where I was going to play or what I was going to do.”

A pending unrestricted free agent on July 1, Marchand is expected to command more than $8 million per season on the open market, according to league sources.

He will go down as one of the better trade deadline pickups in NHL history. The Panthers acquired him for a first-round pick in either 2027 or 2028, with Boston retaining half of his remaining salary to make the numbers work.

In adding Marchand, the Panthers knew they were getting a high-engine worker. But they didn’t realize what a big impact he would have on their team culture, thanks in large part to his good-natured demeanor.

“Getting to know him a little bit more as a human, he’s more special than I could have imagined on that front,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “As a teammate and as a character human. From that standpoint, it’s like frosting on the cake.”

He was asked if he will be able to keep Marchand.

“I bought a Dairy Queen,” Zito joked after the game during the team’s on-ice celebration.

While Sam Bennett (15) scored more goals for the Panthers this spring and received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, Marchand arguably had the bigger moments. He won Game 2 against the Oilers with a breakaway goal in double overtime and scored twice with impressive individual efforts in Game 5 to give the Panthers the chance to hoist the Cup on home ice.

Marchand also had an overtime winner against the Maple Leafs in Round 2, which prevented them from falling into an 0-3 hole in that series.

Following a season in which he struggled with health challenges and the weight of the uncertainty in Boston, Marchand saved his best hockey for when it mattered most. No one enjoyed the Cup run more than the oldest member of the Panthers.

“I honestly feel like a young guy again,” he said.

(Top photo: Mike Carlson / Getty Images)



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Jack Devine Did It All At DU

Story Links Not many players have accomplished what Jack Devine did in his four years at the University of Denver.   He joined the Pioneers hockey program as one of the youngest players in the country in 2021-22 and finished his collegiate career with two national championships, three Frozen Four appearances, two […]

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Not many players have accomplished what Jack Devine did in his four years at the University of Denver.
 
He joined the Pioneers hockey program as one of the youngest players in the country in 2021-22 and finished his collegiate career with two national championships, three Frozen Four appearances, two All-American first-team honors and was recognized as a Hobey Baker Award top-10 finalist in his final two seasons.
 
On the ice, Devine leaves as the highest-scoring player in the modern era of Denver hockey. His 163 points are the most by a Pioneer since Rick Berens had 180 from 1987-1991 and rank 12th overall in the school record book. With 57 goals and 106 assists, the Glencoe, Illinois, native is also one of just 10 players to record at least 50 goals, 100 assists and 150 points in their time in crimson and gold, and his 162 games played are tied for the eighth-most in program history.
 
Devine’s many great accomplishments on and off the ice wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the ones he loves and the friends he made along the way. They motivated him and shaped him into the person, athlete and student he is today. Always striving to be the best version of himself.
 
 “My teammates pushed me every day to get better, and just strive for greatness, especially at this program.” Devine said. “Then my family, I want to represent them well. They sacrificed so much to put me in the position I am today.”
 
Since starting hockey at a young age, Devine says the sport has influenced the person he has become. It has given him well-nurturing values and set standards for him to reach on the ice and in his personal life.
 
“Hockey has taught me so many valuable life lessons,” Devine said. “Hockey continues to teach you teamwork, perseverance, and it’s kind of allowed me to get a lot of qualities that I believe represent myself. It’s allowed me to get some of my best friendships I’ve had and build connections with people; deeper than surface level.”
 
Devine has done in all at DU, culminating in the two national championships he won with the team.
 
“Those were dreams of mine growing up as a kid, and to win in Boston (in 2022) with my family there, and also be able to do it in Minnesota (in 2024) with my family there was super special,” Devine said. “And to do it with two different groups of guys was also surreal, where you can build those bonds not with one team but a second team for the rest of your life.”
 
As writer A.A. Milne scribed in The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh, “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
 
It is a feeling that Devine certainly shares, as his time at Denver will bring back nostalgia of the good times he had with his teammates.
 
“Just the culture of the guys, this super close-knit team, hanging out a lot with each other outside the rink,” said Devine of what he’ll remember of his time as a Pioneer. “Honestly, you live so close; I lived with four other guys and just living in a house with that many guys, it’s pretty awesome. You just always know you’re like a two-minute drive, five-minute walk away from each other. You have a good weekend and all the guys get together. That’s pretty special, so it’s hard to replicate. I just think the jokes you get day-in and day-out in the locker room—it’s pretty special.”
 
Inspiration comes in many forms for Devine, but his gratitude goes out to his family.
 
“My dad, my granddad, my mom, my sisters; they pushed me,” he said. “My mom and dad made so many sacrifices to put me in this position and to have this success I’ve had both in hockey and life. Yes, I wouldn’t be here today without them. And my granddad; he’s a little bit older now, so he can’t make it to many games, but he is one the hardest working guys. I know he still gets up at 5 a.m. every day, so that’s someone I strive to be like.”
 
With four years filled with many memories, Devine has accomplished lifelong goals, gained a family within the program and shared these amazing times with the ones he loves the most.
 
Cliché as it may be, Devine’s advice for the next generation of student-athletes is to enjoy their time in college because four years goes by fast.
 
“It goes by quick, and it really does,” Devine said. “Make sure to do what you enjoy and love. If you don’t enjoy your sport or don’t love your major, try to change that or pick something different.
 
“I would also say manage your time, it really does help. If you manage your time early on in the week, it allows you to honestly enjoy your time a little more and not feel so overloaded and if you get too stressed, it might affect your relationships. So if you get your stuff done and in a timely manner, that can really positively set up your life and set up your relationships.”
 
 



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Kai Trump follows in Travis Kelce, Livvy Dunne’s footsteps with NIL bonanza

The post Kai Trump follows in Travis Kelce, Livvy Dunne’s footsteps with NIL bonanza appeared first on ClutchPoints. While she is not in college yet, future University of Miami golfer Kai Trump has made an NIL deal, which means she will join Travis Kelce and Olivia “Livvy” Dunne as part of a top brand. Advertisement […]

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The post Kai Trump follows in Travis Kelce, Livvy Dunne’s footsteps with NIL bonanza appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While she is not in college yet, future University of Miami golfer Kai Trump has made an NIL deal, which means she will join Travis Kelce and Olivia “Livvy” Dunne as part of a top brand.

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Trump’s ever-growing portfolio has added another partnership. She has become a brand ambassador and equity partner of Accelerator Active Energy, meaning she joins Kelce and Dunne as part of the brand.

“I love energy drinks,” Trump told NIL Daily on Sports Illustrated. “They fit into my daily lifestyle pretty well[,] and honestly, it was a very natural partnership. I just can’t wait to continue working with them[,] and the team is amazing. The product fits my daily lifestyle very well.”

Trump is the granddaughter of President Donald Trump. She also discussed being part of the same brand as Kelce and Dunne, two top-tier athletes.

“I’m really looking forward to just like meeting them in person, picking their brains,” she revealed. “I met Livvy actually the other day at the airport — funny enough — and she was super nice. They’re both amazing athletes[,] and obviously[,] a lot of people look up to them. I’m very lucky and excited to be alongside them working with the Accelerator, so I’m looking forward to it.”

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Kai Trump joins Travis Kelce and Livvy Dunne as a NIL brand ambassador

Trump is making moves before she heads to the University of Miami to play golf. She is in her senior year of high school, and she will subsequently head to college after.

To date, she has partnerships with TaylorMade and Leaf Trading Cards. Accelerator Active Energy is the latest brand to partner with her.

Previously, Accelerator nabbed Kelce and Dunne as brand ambassadors. Kelce praised the former LSU gymnast, calling her an “awesome” person.

Dunne was one of the major players when it came to NIL. She was a driving force behind the movement, and she was the first NIL athlete signed by WME. Since then, she has landed countless brand deals and is the face of several campaigns.

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That was done as she started her career at LSU. Dunne has since finished her time on the Tigers’ women’s gymnastics team. Her journey with NIL was spotlighted in The Money Game: LSU on Prime Video.

Related: Xander Schauffele drops hilarious admission on 2020 Olympic Gold Medal

Related: Scottie Scheffler struggles with ‘point’ in winning before Open Championship



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Official Site of The ECHL

Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild and American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild, announced that rookie forwards Luke Mobley and Matt Hubbarde have come to terms on contracts with the team for the 2025-26 season. Mobley joined the Heartlanders at the tail end of the 2024-25 season, recording […]

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Coralville, Iowa – The Iowa Heartlanders, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild and American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild, announced that rookie forwards Luke Mobley and Matt Hubbarde have come to terms on contracts with the team for the 2025-26 season.

Mobley joined the Heartlanders at the tail end of the 2024-25 season, recording two assists in 11 regular-season games, before adding four points (1g-3a) in five postseason games. He spent five seasons playing college hockey, first skating for Clarkson University, where he totaled 22 points in 91 games before transferring to Augustana University. At Augustana, Mobley quickly found his groove, totaling 39 points (25g-14a) in 68 games, leading the team in goals in each of his two seasons.

Hubbarde signed with Iowa in March 2025 after completing his collegiate career, and he put up six points (3g-3a) in 13 games. The Pickering, Ontario native spent two seasons with Dartmouth, before transferring to Providence. He totaled 29 points in 65 games between the two schools. Finally, he spent his final college season with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, where he became the team’s leading goal and point scorer with 23 points (13g-10) in 30 games. 



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Former Cardinal Ally Cook Joining Wheeling Athletics as Full

Story Links Wheeling, W. Va. – For six seasons, Ally Cook has been a member of the Wheeling University Women’s Soccer team, helping the team to the first two Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament appearances in the programs history. On Thursday, it was announced that Cook will continue her work with the Athletics Department, being named […]

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Former Cardinal Ally Cook Joining Wheeling Athletics as Full

Wheeling, W. Va. – For six seasons, Ally Cook has been a member of the Wheeling University Women’s Soccer team, helping the team to the first two Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament appearances in the programs history. On Thursday, it was announced that Cook will continue her work with the Athletics Department, being named a Full-Time Athletic Trainer on the Cardinal’s medical staff. She will work alongside Wheeling University Head Athletic Trainer Christy Schoolcraft to support all 22 Wheeling University Varsity sports programs. 

“I’m so excited to be stepping into this role as a full-time Athletic Trainer at Wheeling University,” said Cook. “It is an amazing opportunity to work in a familiar environment alongside colleagues who have always supported me, while continuing to grow as an autonomous clinician.” 

While Cook was starring on the Soccer field, she was also a stand-out student in the university’s Athletic Training program. During her studies, she was president of the Athletic Training Club, while also being a member of the Honors Society for Athletic Training. Just this past year, Cook got the opportunity to present at the 2025 West Virginia Athletic Trainer’s Association Student Oral presentation where her and fellow Wheeling University Alumnus Bre’ya Clopper presented their work titled, “Lower Extremity Factors and Their Effects on ACL injuries in Female College Athletics”. They were one of two presentations to be awarded for their work at the event alongside fellow athletic trainers from across the state of West Virginia. 

Stepping into the role of Full-Time Athletic Trainer, Cook is already familiar with several of the Wheeling University Athletic programs. During her time in the university’s athletic training program, she got the chance to work with the Wheeling Football, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Wrestling, Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Lacrosse, and Softball team over her six years. Along with her work on campus, Cook has taken her experience to the local community, where she has gotten the chance to work with Wheeling Park High School’s football team. After working as a mentor to Cook as a student for the last six years, Schoolcraft is excited to welcome her into the Athletic training family as a full-time colleague. 

“Ally will help us in the prevention, recognition, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries on campus,” said Schoolcraft. “Ally has shown how knowledgeable and caring she is as a student in our program so I’m excited to welcome her on as a full-time staff member.” 

 While attending Wheeling University, Cook played as a member of the Wheeling Women’s Soccer team, where she played from 2019-2023. She appeared in 30 games for the Cardinals, starting 29, mostly as a defender. She recorded one goal and one assist in her career, totaling three points, while putting seven of the 10 shots she took in her career on net. Cook was a leader on the soccer field for the Cardinals, helping lead the team to their first-ever MEC Tournament appearance during the 2022 season. 

Cook graduated from Wheeling University in May with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training as a member of the Athletic Trainer’s National Honors Society. 

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Which Colorado athletes won ESPY awards at 2025 ceremony? | Sports

The biggest names in sports trekked to Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 33rd ESPY Awards, the “Academy Awards” of sports. Athletes with Colorado connections struck out.  Comedian and host Shane Gillis made jokes about the New York Knicks, the Jeffrey Epstein files and a couple on ex-Colorado football stars. “Shedeur Sanders had his […]

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The biggest names in sports trekked to Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 33rd ESPY Awards, the “Academy Awards” of sports.

Athletes with Colorado connections struck out. 

Comedian and host Shane Gillis made jokes about the New York Knicks, the Jeffrey Epstein files and a couple on ex-Colorado football stars.

“Shedeur Sanders had his jersey number retired at Colorado this year. People are saying it’s because of nepotism because of his father, and it’s not,” Gillis said. “It’s because he went 13-12 over his career and he almost won the Alamo Bowl.”

The second joke was about Travis Hunter, one in which Gillis tried to emulate the late Norm McDonald when he hosted the ESPYs in 1998.

“Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy this year. He’s the first defensive player since Charles Woodson to win the Heisman. Congratulations, Travis Hunter,” Gillis said. “Winning the Heisman, that’s something they can never take away from you, unless you kill your wife and a waiter, in which case they can take that away from you.”

The awards ceremony pressed on and the winners of each category were revealed.

Here’s how the seven Colorado athletes faired at the 2025 ESPY Awards:

Colorado-connected athletes had a 75% chance to win the ESPY for Best Comeback Athlete: Gabriel Landeskog, Lindsey Vonn and Mallory Swanson.

Gabriel Landeskog (Avalanche): Landeskog’s knee was injured in a playoff game against the Dallas Stars during the 2020 NHL ‘bubble’ Stanley Cup playoffs. The Avalanche captain played through pain up until his last game on June 26, 2022, when he and the Avalanche beat Tampa Bay to win the Stanley Cup.

On April 23, Landeskog returned to the ice at Ball Area for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Ovations from the crowd, and chants of “Landy, Landy, Landy” resonated upon his return. There were signs all over the arena, including one held up by his kids that read, “So proud of you Daddy!” The team also played a video tribute, with Landeskog tapping his heart in appreciation.

Mallory Swanson (Littleton): Swanson’s rise to fame in professional women’s soccer started at an early age. 

She debuted for the USWNT at the age of 17 in 2016, later becoming the youngest American to play and score in the Summer Olympics.

Swanson was a member of the USWNT squad that won the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

However, a knee injury sidelined Swanson in April 2023, before the start of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. She made a strong recovery, however, returning to play forward for the Chicago Red Stars on March 16, 2024, and for the USWNT in April 6, 2024.

Lindsey Vonn: The former Vail resident retired from alpine ski racing after the 2019 FIS Alpine World Cup season. She finished third in her final race — the women’s downhill at the World Championships in Sweden. 







2025 ESPY Awards Arrivals

Lindsey Vonn arrives at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)




Vonn suffered multiple injuries, mainly to her knees, over the course of her ski racing career.

After five years of retirement and a successful partial knee replacement, Vonn came out of retirement ahead of the 2024-25 World Cup season, making her comeback debut at Copper Mountain on Dec. 7.

She was back on the World Cup circuit on Dec. 21 in St. Moritz, finalizing her return to the highest level of women’s ski racing.

However, as luck would have at, gymnast Suni Lee won the Best Comeback Athlete award.

Suni Lee: Lee was diagnosed with two kidney diseases in 2023. She was having issues on the uneven bars, once her best event, due to swelling in her hands causing her to lose her grip on the bars.







2025 ESPY Awards

Suni Lee reacts after winning the Best Comeback Athlete award at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)




The symptoms also included, headaches, hot flashes, cold spells and cramping, all of which had mental impacts on Lee.

Lee began a medication regiment that included infusions, causing her to have to retire from college gymnastics. However, after a five-month training break, Lee returned to gymnastics training on a modified schedule, and by January 2024, she was back to training full time.

At the U.S. Olympic Trials in June 2024, Lee officially qualified for the Paris Games.

When interviewed following the announcement, Lee said: “A year ago, I didn’t even think this was possible.”

Lee went on to win three medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris: gold in the team all-around and two bronze.

At Wednesday’s ceremony, Lee said, “Winning this award means so much more that I can say and to my fellow nominees you inspire me and I am so honored to stand here with you. When I was diagnosed with two rare kidney diseases, I was told I would never compete again, but I refused to believe that. There were days when I felt scared, defeated and alone, but I always found strength around me.”

As for the other four athletes representing Colorado… well, they were skunked, too.

Best NBA Player: Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander beat out Nuggets center Nikola Jokić

Best NHL Player: Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl beat out Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar

Best NFL Player: Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley beat out Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II

Best College Athlete – Men’s Sports: Duke basketball’s Cooper Flagg beat out Hunter, the former Buffaloes star

Here are the other award winners from Wednesday’s ceremony:

Best Championship Performance: Simone Biles, 2024 Summer Olympics gymnastics all-around







2025 ESPY Awards

Simone Biles, right, hugs Jonathan Owens while accepting an award at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)




Best Play: Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley’s backwards hurdle, Nov. 3, 2024, against the Jacksonville Jaguars

Best Athlete – Men’s Sports: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder







APTOPIX 2025 ESPY Awards

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander smiles after winning the Best Athlete Men’s Sports award at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)




Best Athlete – Women’s Sports: Simone Biles, USA Gymnastics

Best Record-Breaking Performance: Alexander Ovechkin, NHL all-time goals leader

Best Team: Philadelphia Eagles – NFL

Best Breakthrough Athlete: Ilona Maher, Rugby‬







2025 ESPY Awards

Ilona Maher reacts while accepting an award at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)




Best College Athlete – Women’s Sports: JuJu Watkins – USC Basketball‬

Best WNBA Player: Caitlin Clark, Basketball, Indiana Fever

Best MLB Player: Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers

Icon Award: Diana Taurasi and Alex Morgan







2025 ESPY Awards

Alex Morgan, left, and Diana Taurasi react as they accept Icon Awards at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)




Best Athlete with a Disability: Noah Elliot, Snowboarder, U.S. Para Ski & Snowboard

Best Driver: Max Verstappen, F1

Best UFC Fighter: Merab Dvalishvili

Best Boxer: Katie Taylor

Best Soccer Player: Christian Pulisic, AC Milan, USMNT

Best Golfer: Scottie Scheffler

Best Tennis Player: Coco Gauff

Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Katie Schumacher-Cawley







2025 ESPY Awards

Katie Schumacher-Cawley accepts the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)




Capital One Cup – Men’s: Ohio State University (OSU) Men

Capital One Cup – Women’s: University of North Carolina (UNC) Women

Pat Tillman Award for Service: Los Angeles County firefighters David Walters and Erin Regan

Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Oscar Robertson

Gatorade Players of the Year: Jane Hedengren and Cameron Boozer

Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award: Sloane Stephens

Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year winner: Indianapolis Colts

Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award honoree: Michele Kang

Corporate Community Impact Award winner: Buffalo Wild Wings

Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award honoree: Billy Bean, former Major League Baseball player and executive

Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award honorees: Maegha Ramanathan, Rishin Tandon, Ian Waite

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Kirk Brackelman ’01 – Defensive Analyst – Staff Directory

Kirk Brackelman is in his second year as a Defensive Analyst for Adrian College Football, after joining the staff in the spring of 2024. He concluded his 31 year high school coaching career as an analyst, contributing to Lenawee Christian’s impressive run of three state championships over the past four years, compiling a 45-3 record. Kirk’s […]

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Kirk Brackelman is in his second year as a Defensive Analyst for Adrian College Football, after joining the staff in the spring of 2024. He concluded his 31 year high school coaching career as an analyst, contributing to Lenawee Christian’s impressive run of three state championships over the past four years, compiling a 45-3 record.

Kirk’s coaching experience spans multiple high schools, including Sand Creek, Madison, Waldron, Camden Frontier, and Adrian Public Schools. His career highlights include serving as a High School Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Coordinator, and Head Coach. These leadership roles have allowed him to build a well-rounded coaching resume, working with athletes at all levels from junior high to high school.

A 2001 Honors graduate of Adrian College with a degree in education, Kirk has continued his academic pursuits at Fresno Pacific University, Marygrove University, and the American College of Education, while earning a Master’s in Education. Currently, he is a dedicated teacher at Lincoln Elementary, part of the Adrian Public Schools system.

Kirk resides in Adrian with his wife, Tracey, his daughter Kiersten, who is studying at the University of South Alabama, and his son Cameron, a student at Madison Schools.


*Updated as of July 3, 2025*

 







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