Friends and colleagues are mourning the loss of Ford football coach Todd Koehn.
Koehn, 43, died Friday, according to a GoFundMe account established by Ford athletic director Bill Szalaga to help with funeral expenses and for Koehn’s two young daughters.
‘The Koehn family and the Henry Ford II community lost a father, son, brother, friend, teacher and coach,’ the account said. ‘The most important part of Todd’s life was the love he had for his two beautiful daughters, Mackenzie and Delaney. His family needs the support of our community to pay for funeral expenses and for his daughters future needs.
‘Todd always wanted to make his parents Dennis and Renee proud through everything he did from playing sports, going to Michigan State, becoming a teacher/coach and most importantly being a father.’
Utica Community Schools expressed condolences in a statement.
‘The entire UCS community experienced a tremendous loss with the passing of Henry Ford II teacher and varsity football coach, Mr. Todd Koehn,’ the district said in a statement. ‘Mr. Koehn made a difference in our community as a teacher, coach, mentor, friend and UCS graduate.
‘Our district is a family is every sense of the word. We will continue to come together to ensure our students have the necessary support during this time. Counseling services are available to our students through Henry Ford II High School. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family.’
Kenneth Cucchi, principal at Ford, contacted the Ford community by email with news of Koehn’s death.
‘We have counseling services available here at Henry Ford II High School for as long as necessary,’ Cucchi wrote.
Visitation for Koehn will be from 3-9 p.m. Wednesday with a 7 p.m. funeral service at the Wasik Funeral Home, 49150 Schoenherr Road (N. of 22 Mile Rd.), Shelby Township.
In lieu of floral arrangements, memorial donations may be made to Mackenzie and Delaney’s college funds, Koehn’s obituary said.
Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township.
Jason Byers, a coaching colleague of Koehn, wrote on GoFundMe, ‘Todd was an amazing man that impacted student athletes on and off the field. This is a devastating loss to the Henry Ford II Football Family. He will always have a special place in my heart.’
Pat Threet, the coach at Lakeview and president of the Macomb County Football Coaches Association, said, ‘My heart hurts for Ford and the football team.
‘The kids at Ford are hurting. We’re praying for them. It’s a very hard thing to deal with.’
Koehn coached the Falcons in 2016 and 2017. He also coached at New Haven, Utica and Stoney Creek.
Programs from around Macomb County have tweeted support for Ford and the Koehn family.
Here is a tweet from Utica.
Dakota football tweet.
Chippewa Valley football tweet.
