HOLLAND, Mich. - Hope College has named a former alumnus and very successful Michigan high school coach as its new head football coach.
Peter Stuursma will be the Holland school's seventh full-time head coach since 1920. He takes the place of Dean Kreps who had been coach for 20 years, from 1995 to 2015.
According to Hope College, Stuursma's East Grand Rapids Pioneers went 162-34 with 13 state playoff appearances during his 16-season tenure. They won Michigan state titles in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003 and 2002. They also reached the state semifinals twice.
Stuursma graduated from Hope in 1993 and played football for the Flying Dutchmen. He was co-captain his senior year and played running back and special teams. He also served as the team's Defensive Coordinator in 1999.
Stuursma has been principal at East Grand Rapids Middle School since 2005. He was assistant principal at East Grand Rapids High School from 2002 to 2004.
