A different path: Hoover named NMC boys hoops coach

McBAIN — Northern Michigan Christian’s newest boys head basketball coach Tyler Hoover hasn’t taken the typical journey to arrive at his destination.

The 6-foot-7, powerfully constructed Hoover was indeed a basketball standout as a high school student at Novi but his athleticism stood out even more on the gridiron.

Hoover was a plumb recruit as a lineman after graduating from Novi in 2008 and ultimately selected Michigan State over dozens of other major programs across the country.

The climax of his playing career under recent College Football Hall of Fame inductee Mark Dantonio came during his senior season of 2013 when he served as captain of the defensive line for a Spartans’ team that defeated Ohio State 34-24 in the Big Ten Championship Game and went on to edge Stanford 24-20 in the 100th Rose Bowl.

Hoover, who earned All-American honors, subsequently spent three years as part of the Indianapolis Colts practice squad and the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad before retiring from football, returning home to Novi, earning his masters degree in communication and advertising from MSU, and embarking on a career that started with Chrysler and brought him in more recent years to his current position as a Jeep Brand manager.

So, how in the world does a former Michigan State football standout and NFL player end up as a boys basketball coach at NMC?

As Hoover explained in a phone interview on Tuesday, the first big step toward his present coaching post was he and wife Alexas and daughters Harlow, 7, and Reya, 4, relocating from crowded Lake Orion downstate to Falmouth in Missaukee County last summer where there are more trees than houses and the only distance you have to travel to reach the blessed outdoors is through the front door.

The second step, he said, was enrolling the girls at NMC after hearing so many people from the area tell him and Alexas what a great school it would be for their daughters.

The third step was getting to meet Athletic Director Trey Reed, Superintendent Scott Curell and Principal Katelyn Richard along with other teachers and parents during the enrollment process.

“We instantly felt a connection with the school and felt like this would be an ideal place for our daughters to attend,” Hoover said.

The fourth step was being asked to serve as assistant boys coach with Rich Bennett this past hoops season and thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Which brings about the final step … the announcement that Hoover would be taking over as the boys coach for Bennett starting next school year.

“This really wasn’t my intent when I first started helping Rich but it’s where the path has taken us and I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Hoover, whose ability to work remotely for Jeep Brand enabled the move for his family to the new home in Falmouth.

“I learned so much from Rich this season and enjoyed working with the boys so much that it was a natural step for me to take after Rich decided to step down. His schedule wouldn’t allow him to keep coaching and my schedule is flexible enough so that I can do it. It just seemed like the good Lord worked out all the details and opened this door.”

In the press release, Reed expressed gratitude to Coach Bennett, who had previously coached the NMC girls’ team prior to accepting the role as boys coach for the 2023-24 season.

“His leadership and support of our student athletes was seen in the product on and off the court,” Reed said of Bennett.

“His focus on fundamentals, accountability, strategy and the overall well-being of the Christian men he led will be felt for generations to come.”

Reed also said in the press release he was “excited” to announce Hoover as the new Comets’ head coach. Hoover is taking over a team that won 14 games and was competitive in nearly every game they didn’t win but is losing some key pieces, including 6-foot-7 All-State post Ethan Bennett, to graduation.

“Coach Hoover has learned from some of the best NCAA and NFL coaches around the country and I’m excited to see him bring that viewpoint and leadership to our student athletes,” Reed added.

“Coach Hoover’s resume is impressive, but more impressive is the respect he has earned with our student athletes by working alongside them this past season. His dedication to the whole athlete is tremendous and his focus on the strength, health, and training of our students will certainly give our program an advantage on and off the court.”

Hoover said he was happy to have had the chance to work with seniors Ethan Bennett, Elijah Kimbel, Gideon Curell and Titus Johns this season and looks forward to working with returning varsity players Colton Winkle, Jack Villwock and Eli Bowden along with a talented group of underclassmen making the jump from the JV next year.

“Getting the chance to work with Colton, Jack and Eli this season gives me the opportunity to hit the ground running,” he said.

“Those three guys all got to start this season. Hopefully we built some excitement and momentum for the JV guys coming up.”

Hoover said he favors gritty, hard-nosed play with a team-first mentality.

“I like a high energy game with a grinding man-to-man defense,” he said. “You win games on defense.

“I’m also big into player development,” he added.

“I want the kids to understand their individual potential and work toward that and work on mental toughness. The biggest hurdle initially will be getting everyone on the same page and working in the same direction. But it’s a great group of kids to work with.”