Mark Nowicki
Varsity Head Coach
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Coach Nowicki brings over 20 years of coaching excellence to East, spanning the collegiate and high school ranks. Before joining the South Lyon East staff, Nowicki built an extensive resume in the collegiate arena:
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Wayne State University: Guided student-athletes to First Team All-GLIAC honors and multiple GLIAC All-Academic selections.
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Eastern Michigan: Defensive analyst during the 2019 season contributing to a winning campaign that included a victory over the University of Illinois and a trip to the Quick Lane Bowl
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Hillsdale College: Began his career as a student assistant for his alma mater after a four year playing career under the legendary coach Dick Lowry.
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Coach Nowicki has also spent 11 years as the defensive coordinator at Northville HS (2008–2018) and seven years at South Lyon HS (2001–2007). During this period of time, his programs have combined for 13 playoff appearances, six division championships, and three conference titles, as well as district and regional championships.
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Coach Nowicki’s leadership will be guided by the "BE EAST" framework—a philosophy centered on student-athletes striving to be the best versions of themselves. "What we do matters... but how we do things is of paramount importance," says Nowicki, echoing the program’s commitment to character, academic integrity, and athletic discipline.
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Alax Barnes
Varsity Outside Linebacker Coach
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Alax graduated from South Lyon High School in 2009 playing football all four years. After graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps serving for 4 years in active duty, in that time he deployed to Afghanistan. While in the Marine Corps he was able to join the base football team in Twentynine Palms CA traveling across the U.S. to face other military base
teams. After the Marine Corps he went into the Army reserves until finally ending his military career in 2019.
His first coaching opportunity came in 2019 joining South Lyon East High School as an assistant Freshman coach. He currently is coaching running backs and defensive backs on varsity.
Ryan Scriven
Varsity Defensive Line Coach
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Ryan Scriven has been the JV/Varsity Defensive Line Coach at South Lyon East since 2021. Coach Scriven has been part of the staff that has set program records for the most wins and 2nd most wins in a season at South Lyon East High School. He has coached 3 defensive linemen that have continued their careers playing football collegiately.
As a student-athlete, Coach Scriven was a part of the 2010 State Championship team at Farmington Hills Harrison High School. He is a 2-time graduate from Eastern Michigan University, with a Bachelor’s in Broadcasting and a Masters in Communications.
Chris Tanderys
Varsity Co-Offensive Coordinator and Running Back Coach
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Chris Tanderys will begin his fourth year coaching in the football program. While at East, he has helped coach Quarterbacks, Running Backs, as well as Outside Linebackers. Previously, Coach Tanderys has coached football at Livonia Stevenson and Clarkston High School. This will be his first year serving as the Co-OC. He is also a physical education and health teacher at South Lyon East & Centennial Middle School in the South Lyon District. He is also the Varsity Head Baseball Coach at South Lyon East.
Coach Tanderys graduated from Wayne State in 2023 where he got his degree in Physical Education & Health. He also got his masters degree in Sports Administration from Wayne State in 2024. He played baseball while at Wayne State where he was voted team captain. He was an all region, all conference, and all academic performer while a Warrior.
Doug Neumayer
Varsity Offensive Line Coach
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Doug Neumayer joined the South Lyon East coaching staff in 2024 as the offensive line coach.
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Coach Neumayer was a two-year letter winner at Grand Valley State University and part of two national championship teams 05 & 06. He graduated from Grand Valley State University in 3 years with a degree in political science. ​After graduating college Coach Neumayer joined the United States Marine Corps and served 4 years active duty. Neumayer was deployed to Afghanistan during 2010 and honorably discharged in 2013.
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Coach Neumayer earned his MBA from Liberty University in 2015.
Coach Neumayer lives in South Lyon with his wife Stephanie, and two children - Jack and Vivienne.
Joe Rohrhoff
Varsity Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach
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Coach Rohrhoff is entering his third year at South Lyon East. This year marks his 20th year coaching high school football. Prior to his current role, he spent a significant period coaching Northville, where he served as the offensive coordinator for 9 seasons. He has worked with all positions on the offensive side of the ball but primarily worked with quarterbacks.
Beyond the field, Coach Rohrhoff serves as a teacher at Meads Mill Middle School in Northville. He also coaches basketball in the winter. He lives in Northville with his wife, Jessica, and their two daughters.
Darrell Adkins
Varsity Wide Receiver Coach
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​Darrell Adkins joined the South Lyon East staff as Wide Receivers coach in 2024. Coach Adkins has been coaching high school football for nearly a decade, bringing energy, leadership, and a passion for developing young athletes. He’s also coached high school track for over five years, and middle school basketball for several seasons.
A former football and rugby player, Coach Adkins believes in the power of hard work, discipline, and teamwork—values he emphasizes in every practice and game. Outside of coaching, he’s a proud local small business owner and a dedicated family man who enjoys traveling and outdoor adventures with his wife and their three kids. His deep connection to the community and love for giving back are at the heart of everything he does.
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Bob Chiesa
Varsity Inside Linebacker Coach​
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Bob Chiesa is excited to join the South Lyon East Football family this year, 2026.
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Coach Chiesa attended the University of Michigan and was part of the football program there. He has coached High School football for over 30 years, including twice being a Head Coach, over 20 years as a Coordinator, and twice being on the staff of State Championship Teams. He has also coached track and baseball. He was previously selected as a 'MHSFCA Assistant Football Coach of the Year' and was chosen to participate in the MHSFCA 'Leadership Development Alliance'.
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When not coaching, he absolutely loves the outdoors and fishing. Coach Chiesa and his wife, Tammy, reside in Commerce Township
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Matt Lentz
Varsity Offensive Line Coach​
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Matt's football journey began at Ortonville‑Brandon High School, where he graduated in 2001 before heading to the University of Michigan. From 2001–2005, Matt played offensive line for the Wolverines, earning two Big Ten titles and All–Big Ten recognition. After college, he pursued his dream of playing professionally in the NFL, spending time with the New York Giants (2006-2007), Pittsburgh Steelers (2007-2008), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008), and signing with the Detroit Lions in the spring of 2009. That same year, Matt continued his playing career in the United Football League with the California Redwoods, later renamed the Sacramento Mountain Lions in 2010.
In 2017, Matt returned to where it all started—coaching the offensive line at Ortonville‑Brandon. After several seasons, he had the special opportunity to coach his son’s team at St. Clair Shores Lakeview in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Today, Matt is proud to join South Lyon East Football, in the community in which he lives. Matt is excited for the opportunity to teach offensive line play and share the lessons this great game has blessed him with. For Matt, Offensive Line is not just a position, it's an attitude.
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Ed Donovan
Freshman Head Coach
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Coach Donovan enters his 8th year of coaching at South Lyon East High School. He is the Head Coach of the South Lyon East freshman football team.
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Coach Donovan has spent over 20 years coaching various levels of middle school and high school football. He resides in South Lyon, Michigan.
Aaron Bush
Freshman Assistant Coach
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Aaron Bush is entering his 12th season as part of the East Football Staff. The past 7 years have been spent as an OL/DL coach across all three levels. Prior to that, Coach Bush coordinated film & Hudl for all Varsity football games. Coach Bush has spent 15 years coaching various levels of youth football, basketball and baseball.
Mike Welton
Freshman Assistant Coach
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Coach Welton has coached football for over 10 years and with East Football since 2020. He coaches quarterbacks and wide receivers. His passion is to develop student athletes that excel on the football field and in the classroom. Coach Welton lives in South Lyon with his wife Rita and two children Riley and Daniel. Daniel is an alumnus of the East Football 2025 class and Riley is a 2022 East graduate attending University of Alabama.
Jacob Jacovetti
Freshman Assistant Coach
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Justin Wagoner
Director of Football Operations
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Justin Wagoner is starting his ninth season at South Lyon East, two years as a JV/Freshman assistant, and has held the role of Director of Football Operations since. Coach Wagoner is also a Special Education at South Lyon East, while also supporting the athletic department with marketing, social media, and other projects.
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Coach Wagoner graduated from Central Michigan in 2017 with a degree in Special Education and History. During his time at Central Michigan, he was a part of the Video Operations staff for Central Michigan Athletics. He was the main assistant to the Football Video Coordinator. With Central Michigan Football, Coach Wagoner was a part of four bowl games and won the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
Coach Wagoner is our coordinator for the Autism Acceptance Game which is in its fourth year. We have been able to raise over $10k for the South Lyon school community in the previous four years. He just completed his Masters in Educational Leadership through GVSU. Coach Wagoner currently resides in Livonia, Michigan with his wife, Caitlin.
Ken Smoot
Athletic Trainer
2025 Coaching Staff
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