District News

*UPDATE*

Grand Rapids Public Schools has completed an internal investigation following the arrest of Don Fellows and determined that he will not return to coach the football team.

Parents of our Union football scholar-athletes received this letter from district leaders. 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) — The Union High School head football coach has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest in connection to an alleged alcohol-involved traffic incident over the weekend.

Don Fellows was arrested Saturday. The alleged incident occurred in Muskegon County and did not involve Grand Rapids Public Schools or any of the district’s scholars. Law enforcement is handling the investigation.

“We are saddened by these developments but committed to ensuring continuity for our scholar-athletes. An interim replacement coach has been appointed and he will assume leadership responsibilities immediately,” GRPS Executive Director of Athletics Kurt Johnson said. “Our focus is and always has been on the best interest of the scholars we serve. We know that their participation on the Union High School football team has been enriching and we won’t allow that to change.”

Assistant Coach Scott Van Essen has agreed to serve as interim head coach effective immediately.

Families will be receiving a letter from school leaders Monday informing them of the situation.