Huron County View

One last ride: Sweeney recounts memorable career




Ubly head football coach Bill Sweeney calls a play for his quarterback and son Casey Sweeney, during a Nov. 22 Division 8 state semifinal game at Beal City. The Bearcats would lose the contest 22-21, bringing an end to a legendary career for Sweeney. He finished with a career record of 88-22, won six district titles, five regionals, and a state runner-up in 2008. Photo by Paul P. Adams

Ubly head football coach Bill Sweeney calls a play for his quarterback and son Casey Sweeney, during a Nov. 22 Division 8 state semifinal game at Beal City. The Bearcats would lose the contest 22-21, bringing an end to a legendary career for Sweeney. He finished with a career record of 88-22, won six district titles, five regionals, and a state runner-up in 2008. Photo by Paul P. Adams

UBLY – Bill Sweeney never pictured himself as a head varsity football coach.

But his decision to take the job in 2003 helped shape the Ubly football program for nearly two decades and will be felt long after the 2019 season.

A one-point loss to Beal City in the most unlikely of state semifinals, in late-November, concluded a legendary coaching career. A career worthy to be compared to his mentor Jerry Herp.

Sweeney coached 110 games for the Bearcats. He ends with a record of 88-22 (.800), 22-9 (.710) in the playoffs, six district championships, five regional titles and a state runner-up.

Although the numbers are impressive, Sweeney’s career will never be measured strictly by the numbers.

“If you would have asked me when I was a 19-year-old kid when I started coaching that would be my career, I would have told you: ‘Nonsense’,” said Sweeney. “It’s just humbling and it’s a sense of pride to have that kind of success and all the guys who have helped out along the way.”

Bill Sweeney coaches during a 2008 playoff game. The 2008 Bearcats would go on to set the Thumb record for points in a season, with 629. Photo by the late Chris Ogryski

Bill Sweeney coaches during a 2008 playoff game. The 2008 Bearcats would go on to set the Thumb record for points in a season, with 629. Photo by the late Chris Ogryski

LEARNING FROM A LEGEND

Sweeney’s name is synonymous with Ubly football and likely will be for the rest of his life.

Before that, it was Sweeney’s mentor, Jerry Herp, who set the standard for the program.

Herp coached the Bearcats in parts of five decades, putting together a record of 140-106-2, winning 10 league championships, making two playoff appearances, being named Regional Coach of the Year twice and entering the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999.

In 1996, after stops at Imlay City and Marlette, Sweeney landed in Ubly.

It didn’t take long for Herp to notice a then 24-year-old Sweeney.

“When I moved to this town, (Herp) took an interest in me and I just latched,” he said. “I think he was molding me. That guy coming into my life was life-changing for me.”

Sweeney’s relationship with Herp was much more than just football. They shared many similar interests. Herp’s work ethic was second-to-none, according to Sweeney.

The 2008 season concluded with a state championship game at Ford Field. Bill Sweeney is seen here in the postgame press conference. Photo by the late Chris Ogryski

The 2008 season concluded with a state championship game at Ford Field. Bill Sweeney is seen here in the postgame press conference. Photo by the late Chris Ogryski

Herp retired following the 2000 season, so it seemed logical that Sweeney would be next in line for the job.

However, Sweeney didn’t feel he was ready.

It would take two more seasons for Sweeney to finally take over the program.

“When Herp retired, they wanted me to take over and I wouldn’t take over,” Sweeney said. “I just never had an aspiration to be a head coach.”

In 2003, the position became open again – and this time Sweeney was ready.

“Those two years proved to myself that I needed to be doing it. It proved to me that I could do it,” he said. “It’s tough to follow a legendary guy. One of the toughest that has ever coached.”

Added Sweeney: “It allowed me to assume to the role in a much better capacity, because I was ready to do it. I felt totally ready to do it. I don’t think I would have been ready if I would have followed him right away.”

Very few times has Bill Sweeney shown much emotion following a win or a loss. But a 34-20 win over Harbor Beach on Nov. 8 of last year was one to be celebrated by Sweeney and his players. Photo by Paul P. Adams

Very few times has Bill Sweeney shown much emotion following a win or a loss. But a 34-20 win over Harbor Beach on Nov. 8 of last year was one to be celebrated by Sweeney and his players. Photo by Paul P. Adams

SETTING THE TONE

From 2001-2019, Ubly football has been one of the most consistent programs in the entire Thumb, missing the playoffs only twice.

Prior to 2001, the Bearcats hadn’t experienced a winning season since 1995 and had never won a playoff game.

Under Dave Rowland, the team went 14-7 in two seasons. In 2001, the program won its first-ever playoff game.

Sweeney took over in 2003 – immediately taking Ubly to heights it had never been to.

A 22-7 win over Deckerville claimed a first district championship, but that was only a prelude to what would go down as one of the finest postseason runs the Bearcats embarked on.

Next up was a regional title game with No. 1-ranked New Lothrop.

The highly favored Hornets presented a challenge both physically and mentally for Sweeney and his team.

“We watched them on tape and it was like, ‘What are we going to do?’ As a coach, you’re still finding your way,” he said. “Nowadays, I would say we’re just going to physically beat the snot out of them. I wasn’t there, yet. I hadn’t had that kind of success to understand what truly would be the key to success.”

Any doubts were quickly put to rest as it was evident from the start Ubly’s physicality was overwhelming for New Lothrop.

“They had given up 60 yards a game and we went over there and got 60 yards in the first four plays of the game,” Sweeney said.

The Bearcats ended up putting a running clock on the No. 1 team in the state, winning 52-22, in a game that was never close.

“We laid the smack down,” Sweeney said. “I can honestly say that was the most satisfying victory that we’ve ever had.”

Added Sweeney: “You look back at it. It was the most fun game and it was the validating game from a standpoint that our style of football could compete at a very high level throughout the state of Michigan. It put Ubly football on the map for us and me, especially.”

The blowout of New Lothrop earned the Bearcats a matchup with another one of the state’s bluebloods – Traverse City St. Francis.

For a half on a gloomy November day at Alma College, it looked as though Ubly would make its trip to the Silverdome – as it led 14-0 at halftime.

“We felt fairly confident going into the game,” Sweeney said. “We played flawless – we couldn’t have played any better. But we got into halftime and we were physically just exhausted. The kids put so much into that first half.”

St. Francis took the second-half kickoff back for a touchdown, which sparked a 21-14 comeback.

“Back then, you walked off and you were just so proud of the kids,” Sweeney said. “Now, you look back at it, man, we were that close. We would have won the game the next week. It’s a funny thing, when you’re in it, it’s disappointing. As time goes away, it’s just the memories.”

Ubly would make the playoffs again in 2004, but success did not come as easily, with a 2-2 start to the season.

“Everyone thought we were going to be really, really good,” Sweeney said. “We thought we were going to be really, really good. We weren’t in shape. We were simply not very well-coached.

Added Sweeney: “I learned a lot about getting the press clippings out of your head and worrying about focusing on today.”

The 2004 season was without a doubt the most important of Sweeney’s career.

“I learned more as coach in 2004 than any other year,” he said. “I felt like since that point we were never out of shape, we were always prepared, we took nothing for granted, we didn’t have a lot of letdowns.”

FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK

Sweeney has coached a number of quarterbacks over the years, including his son, Casey, but one stands above the rest – the leader of the 2003 team – Aaron Maurer.

Maurer has come full circle at Ubly, from being the senior quarterback in 2003 to the school’s athletic director and assistant varsity football coach.

“Aaron is the AD now, but there’s every once in a while that I just look over at him and he’s not the AD,” Sweeney said. “In my heart, he’s still ‘The Guy.’”

Added Sweeney: “He was the savior – that was the guy who was the jock. The thing about Aaron is he is such a level-headed kid.”

Being the quarterback in a Bill Sweeney offense is not easy. The quarterback is an extension of the coach on the field.

Sweeney isn’t known much for airing it out, but with Maurer, the coach allowed the quarterback to showcase his arm. He’s still the only QB to throw for 1,000 yards under Sweeney.

Maurer recalled: “Nobody was immune to getting the wrath of coach Sweeney. Nothing ever got by coach Sweeney, he was always going to call it out.”

Added Maurer: “Casey might have gotten it worse than anyone this year. He was the coach’s son – a lot was expected out of him.”

Sweeney is known for the ability to get the most out of his players. The 2003 team was a perfect example of that. It wasn’t the most athletically gifted, but the players bought into Sweeney’s philosophy. “He’s a fiery guy, he’s a passionate guy,” Maurer said. “But the one thing I can say about coach Sweeney is he coaches everyone an equal amount. Whether you’re the so-called ‘best on the team,’ or a kid that mainly contributes in practice – he’s going to coach you up the same way.”

Added Maurer: “Nobody gets special treatment. I think that’s what everyone who has played for him respects the most about him. He’s going to give you a fair shake, but, at the same time, he’s going to get the most out of you.”

Maurer set the standard for what Sweeney expected out of his signal caller.

Sweeney said, “As a quarterback, (Maurer) just saw things. When he played, he was so level-headed. Nothing was ever too high or too low for that guy. He’s one of the best players we’ve ever had.”

THE RIVALRIES

From 2003-10, Ubly measured its regular season success with a trio of teams, two of which were league rivals

Harbor Beach and Deckerville. The other was a cross-conference matchup with USA.

Sweeney has winning records against all of those teams: Deckerville (8-2), USA (6-3) and Harbor Beach (6-5).

USA was coached by Hall of Famer Tim Travis, until 2004, then Gary VanSumeren for a number of years.

Deckerville features Hall of Famer Bill Brown. At Harbor Beach is future Hall of Fame coach Troy Schelke.

“When you’re coaching, those guys were the bar,” Sweeney said. “People think that you hate these guys. Those are the only guys that know what you’re going through. It’s like a fraternity of guys. When you’re in the midst of that, playing those types of games against your generation’s best teams, that was so fun.”

In 2011, Ubly and Deckerville played what might be their final matchup as the Eagles moved to 8-Player in 2012.

“For years, that was Thumb football at its best,” Sweeney said about playing Deckerville and Harbor Beach. It always meant something – you always knew it was going to be a good game. You knew the teams were going to be supremely coached.”

A SEASON TO REMEMBER

Ubly saw continued success from 2005-07, but it was 2008 that turned out to be the culmination of all the lessons from the previous seasons.

In 2006, the Bearcats reached the state semifinals, but stumbled in 2007, failing to make it out of the district.

When 2008 came around, players like Jordan Kaufman, Eric LaBuhn, Mitchel Cleary and others had two seasons under their belts.

They were seasoned and ready.

“That was the one year that I honestly thought going into (the season) that we could make the state finals,” Sweeney said. “But, learning from 2004, you just put that out of your mind. We knew what we had – but we had to stay in the moment.”

Ubly was barely challenged during the regular season, defeating every opponent by at least 30 points.

“It was stressful, because you were going to be good. During the season, I never relaxed to enjoy it,” Sweeney said. “You would sit at practice and it was like pushing buttons with these guys. I feel like I’m just running a machine.”

The first two rounds of the playoffs were both blowouts, setting up a regional showdown on a cold, wet and windy Saturday in November versus Royal Oak Shrine.

The game belonged to Kaufman as the Bearcats won 32-14.

In the state semifinals, the third time was indeed the charm, with Ubly demolishing Reading 47-8.

Ubly would then get another crack at Traverse City St. Francis, a rematch of the 2003 state semifinal. This time, though, it would be for a state championship at Ford Field.

The Bearcats were on the wrong end of a 41-13 decision. But it doesn’t dampen the memories.

Ubly set the Thumb scoring record for an 11-player team, with 629 points – a record that still stands.

“We were tough to stop,” Sweeney said. “We had great players, but it was technique-oriented, tough-minded – we were going to out-block and out-tackle our opponents.”

Even though Ubly lost the game, it was something Sweeney will never forget. The north sideline of Ford Field was packed with not only most of the Village of Ubly, but fans from all over the Thumb.

“I don’t know what it would be like to be a college athlete or professional athlete,” Sweeney said. “But walking out of that tunnel and hearing that roar of that crowd is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Just to watch the whole Village of Ubly up there, man. You talk about an immense amount of pride.”

Added Sweeney: “Coming through that tunnel, it’s just in your brain. Bringing your kids through that and to hear that – unbelievable.”

WALKING AWAY

As the 2010 season began, with the Bearcats in the midst of what would be a 34-game regular season winning streak, Sweeney had already made the decision to hang up his whistle.

Only a few people were privy to the information.

“The horse had been ridden,” Sweeney said. “My daughter just graduated. I had three little boys who were at my house most of the time. I was a single dad, trying to find that balance. I coached angry that last year. For me, it was too much.”

Sweeney recalls a moment from the first game of that season which reaffirmed that he needed a break from coaching.

“I remember the first game, playing at USA, a kid made a mistake,” he said. “I turned to Dave (Kaufman) and I said ‘What am I doing this for?’ It was just time.”

Added Sweeney: “A lot of it had to do with what was going on with home. Something was going to break and what was breaking was me coaching football.”

Sweeney left with the program in great shape and in the capable hands of his close friend, Dave Kaufman.

In fact, Sweeney’s coaching tree includes Sandusky head coach Craig Jacobson, along with Kaufman and Jim Becker, both who went on to lead the Bearcats.

“The two most fortunate things I’ve had is: No. 1, spending the time I did around Jerry Herp,” Sweeney said. “And No. 2, is having this core group of guys that started out with me when I was a head coach and we went all the way up together.”

Kaufman began coaching with Sweeney in 2003.

Kaufman recalled, “It’s funny when you think you know football, but then you get around someone who really knows football. I learned everything I know about coaching from him. The only difference between me and him is he’s a little more intense.”

ONE FINAL TIME

A 24-12 loss to Ravenna in the 2010 regional championship was supposed to be ‘it.’

However, football wasn’t quite done with Sweeney – and he wasn’t done with it.

In 2018, Jim Becker, Sweeney’s former assistant head coach, suffered some health problems, leaving the job open. Sweeney accepted the position with it known that it was for ‘one year only.’

What a year it would end up being.

“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be a varsity head coach again,” he said.

The Bearcats sent Sweeney out with a 10-3 record, while collecting another district and regional title. They fell just one point shy of making the program’s second state championship game.

“The only year that could compare was 2005 when made the playoffs and won a game in the playoffs,” Sweeney said. “We had no business (being there) – no expectations. The kids just kept on winning close game after close game.”

Added Kaufman, who was Sweeney’s eyes in the booth: “It was good for him to have that last run. This was the group of kids that nobody expected to be in the state semifinals. But he got them to believe in themselves and play hard football.”

Without question, the 2019 Ubly football season will be remembered for one game above the rest – a dominating 34-20 district championship game victory at undefeated Harbor Beach.

“In my mind, I knew our game plan was good, but: ‘Can we really beat these guys?’ That’s really what you’re thinking,” Sweeney said. “It was our kids that decided on their own to go over there and they weren’t walking off there losing.”

Following the game was a spontaneous release for Sweeney and his players.

“It was awe-inspiring to me,” he said. “I’ve never been more proud of a bunch of kids than I was that night. I very seldom act out after a win or a loss. But you get a few moments where you’re so excited for those kids and just the whole community.”

Added Casey Sweeney: “Seeing those pictures of Dad celebrating is awesome to see, because I’ve never seen him that excited before. Doing that alongside him was awesome.”

Ubly’s win over Harbor Beach brought Sweeney back to a place that he thought he had already said goodbye to – Herp Field. The Bearcats suddenly found themselves hosting Saginaw Nouvel for a regional championship.

The team sent Sweeney out a winner, with a 56-36 victory. It was highlighted by a 277-yard, six-touchdown performance from Carson Heleski.

“To get that home game, I never in a million years expected that. I took a lot in for that game,” he said.

Sweeney’s 2019 also allowed for a first – coaching one of his three sons – Casey.

His oldest son, Nick, was a sophomore in 2010 and his middle son, Anthony, played during Sweeney’s absence from being a head coach.

“Would I trade coaching Casey, now that I did it? No, I wouldn’t trade it. It was awesome,” Sweeney said.

Casey has been around the Ubly football program since he was 2-years-old and can remember the likes of Maurer, Kaufman and all of the rest.

“You know he’s going to be harder on you and expect more because you’re his son,” said Casey of playing for his dad. “I didn’t get treated any different than any of the other players, but I knew he expected more out of me, because of who I am.”

The Sweeneys were able to separate football from family, though.

“We do not take it home. Home is our sanctuary,” Sweeney said. “I’m dad at home. I’m coach (at school). It’s always been my rule that you go home you’re dad, when you’re here (at school) you’re a teacher and coach.”

He added: “Ultimately, if it’s your son, it’s their high school experience, too. I lived my high school days, they deserved that, too.”

Although he never thought he would be back as a head coach, Sweeney is glad he got to experience it with his son and the rest of the players.

“It was the perfect way to go out for me. It was so validating in so many ways,” Sweeney said.

LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

Over the course of nearly two decades, Sweeney helped transform a program into the model of consistency. He did so not with the most talented athletes, but through sheer determination – a trait all of his teams exhibited.

Maurer said: “I have all the respect in the world for that man. In my coaching career, I would be lucky to bring half of what he had to the table. When you talk about the Ubly football program, there’s such a sense of pride when you come through it and he’s been at the head of all of that.”

Said Kaufman: “When it comes to Bill, he has the ability to make kids believe they can do it. A lot of our kids have not been that fast or athletic, but he’s gotten them to do it right and get the most out of them.”

Sweeney said that with the lessons he learned from Herp, he only knew one way to coach and that was with high intensity.

“I just hope the kids that played for me know I did the best I could,” he said. “My legacy is them, it’s those guys. If they got anything out of playing in the program, that’s all I need.”

The football highlights alone would have made 2019 one of the most memorable for Sweeney. But they all pale in comparison to marrying his wife, Bethany, and the couple welcoming their daughter, Emma, into the world.

Sweeney said the couple and their new daughter are planning a long-overdue summer vacation, something he hasn’t been able to do with his coaching commitments.

“It’s time to be like Fred Flintstone. When the whistle goes off, I’m sliding down and going home,” he said. “It’s just time to scale it back and do more things. Spending more time doing things that we can enjoy as a family.”

Added Sweeney: “For (my wife) to experience this, I think she gets how much it entails being a varsity football coach. No. 2, she got to experience this magnificent thing that’s been in my life for years – Ubly football. That means a lot.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Sports Editor Paul Adams conducted a video interview that accompanies this story. The video was shot and edited by Rick Glaza. It appears on the Huron County VIEW Sports Facebook page.)