Ed Greenman Story

 Harper Creek High School principal Ed Greenman is set to retire at the end of the current school year, ending an illustrious 40-year career. Through the years, he has filled several coaching roles, served as athletic director, and become a Harper Creek icon. He stepped into his current position as principal three years ago. Ed was born and raised here in Battle Creek, and played sports throughout high school for St. Philip High School. He talked about his career as a student athlete. “During my high school years, I played football and basketball all four years. I participated in track and field my first three years, and played baseball as a senior.” Ed and his football teammates competed at a high level, qualifying for the playoffs in his senior year and making a run all the way to the semi-finals.

Ed’s experience at St. Philip was positive and paved the way for his future. “Mike Hume, St. Phillip’s athletic director (AD) at the time, was also my government teacher and football coach,” Ed explained. “He had a huge influence on my life at that time. It was because of Mike that I wanted a career in education.” Ed graduated from St. Philip in 1979 and went on to Albion College, where he played football and was a member of the track and field team, competing in the triple jump. He initially thought he would pursue a degree in education but had concerns about salaries for educators. He enrolled at Albion in the fall of 1979, seeking a business degree, but after one semester, he abandoned this. He reflected on this decision. “I realized that it didn’t matter to me if I could make more money in the business field. I knew I wanted to work with kids, so I followed my heart and transitioned to education classes.” 

Ed earned his BA degree in physical education from Albion in 1983 and moved on to Central Michigan University (CMU) for graduate school. During his time at CMU he was a graduate assistant and taught some undergraduate classes. He also gained his first experience coaching as a member of the CMU football staff. Ed graduated from CMU with an MA degree in physical education in 1985. He reflected on his time as a member of the CMU football coaching staff. “I learned a lot about coaching from Herb Deromedi, CMU’s head coach. There were several coaches on that staff with whom I am still friends. Working with Herb and the entire coaching staff laid the foundation for my coaching career for years to come.” 

After graduating from CMU, Ed had two job offers to consider. He was offered a job as defensive backs coach for Saginaw Valley University’s football team and also had a job offer from Harper Creek, which included duties as assistant AD, assistant for the community school program, boys’ track coach, and head football coach. Coaching football at the college level for Saginaw Valley was an attractive offer, but Ed decided to come back home to Battle Creek.  “I chose the Harper Creek job because my fiancée, and soon-to-be wife, Beth Bauman, was working in Battle Creek already, and our families were also here,” Ed said. “As I reflect on my career, I know in my heart that I made the right choice taking the job offer from Harper Creek.” 

With all the roles that Ed has filled over the last four decades, being the Beavers’ football coach is what he is known most for. The program has experienced much success under his guidance, but as Ed explained, it didn’t start off with a bang. “When I started at Harper Creek, Ralph Kenyon was our AD. My relationship with Ralph was great. He was an amazing mentor, and I don’t know what my life would be like without him. In my first two football seasons, we were 0-18, but Ralph stood by me.” The football program began to right the ship in Ed’s third season, finishing with a regular season record of 7-2 in 1987 and 9-0 in 1988. Ed reflected on the first chapter of his coaching career. “The 1987 and 1988 teams set the tradition. My first few years were not always easy, but we were patient, we had great athletes, and we were blessed with a very supportive group of parents. The kids bought in and always put the team first. It snowballed in a positive way.” 

The wins, playoff runs, and conference championships provided great memories and affirmation regarding the work put in by the coaches and players, but these wins weren’t the biggest source of satisfaction. The wins wouldn’t have meant anything without the relationships built with coaches and players. Ed considers all of these relationships to be blessings in his life. Ed mentioned a few coaches who have made an impact on the football program, including Dennis Stansbery, Mike Seedorff, Jeff Williams, Dave Ponscheck, Chad Dishaw, and former players, including Alex Nicholich and  Craig Grable, who came back to help coach. Ed talked about what these relationships have meant to him. “As I look back on my coaching career, each assistant coach has played a pivotal role. All of my coaches have loved Harper Creek and loved our kids. They have always been committed to our program. Surrounding yourself with good people is important for success in life. This has been the theme with the coaches I have worked with.” Each team that Ed has coached through the years holds a special place in his heart. He shared his thoughts on this subject. “The 1988 team was probably the most special with players like Kevin Stansbery, Torrell Humphries, Tony Mitchell, and Alex Nicolich. This group set the tone for the future of Harper Creek football. We have made several deep runs in the playoffs, making the semi-finals four different times. One thing that I am proud of is our teams going undefeated in the regular season in 1994, 1995, and 1996.” Former players coming back as assistant coaches speaks to the culture that has been developed within Harper Creek’s football program. One of these players, Alex Nicolich, reflected on playing for and coaching with Ed. “Ed is not only a mentor to the Harper Creek students and athletes, but also a role model for everyone he comes in contact with. Of all of the individuals who have come through Harper Creek, I can’t think of anyone who made a more positive impact.”

Ed transitioned from assistant AD to head AD in 1998. Being the head football coach and the head AD at the same time wasn’t always easy. He credits his two administrative assistants during that time, Sandy Yeck and Melissa Feasel, with keeping things manageable. In 2014, after 30 years of coaching football, Ed retired from coaching. He was content with this for a few years but felt the itch to get back in it and returned to the football team as one of Mike Seedorf’s assistant coaches for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. They made a run to the semi-finals of the playoffs in 2017.

For 37 years, Ed was tied to the Harper Creek athletic department, coaching football for three decades and short stints as the boys’ track coach, girls’ assistant basketball coach, and boys’ golf coach. In 2022, after a search for a new principal didn’t land a candidate to fit the job, Superintendent Rob Ridgeway asked Ed to step in on an interim basis. There was a learning curve for Ed, but it became a perfect fit. After three years, he appreciates ending his career as a principal.

Ed is most revered as a successful football coach, but his legacy runs deeper than this. His presence has touched teachers, coaches, students, and the Harper Creek community. Ryan Renner has worked under Ed’s leadership as a coach and teacher for Harper Creek. He shared his thoughts. “Ed is a man of high character and believes in doing what is right even if it doesn't win a popularity contest.  He's always very positive with everyone he comes in contact whether it is a coach, athlete, student, parent, or teacher.”

Being a part of the Harper Creek family for 40 years has blessed Ed in many ways. He reflected on his career. “It’s hard to believe how fast forty years have flown by. I’ve met so many people along the way who have become lifelong friends. There isn’t anything that I would have changed. It has been a great place to work. Harper Creek is a truly special place. Our identity comes through our school. The Harper Creek community has done a great job of supporting our school system through academics and athletics.” 

Looking ahead to retirement, Ed will not forget about the Harper Creek community. He and his wife, Beth, don’t have plans set in stone but will be spending some time in Italy, where their only child, Kevin, works as a professor at the Catholic Institute of Technology. Kevin and his wife Aline recently became proud parents with the birth of their son Sebastian. Ed and Beth are looking forward to spending time with Kevin, Aline, and Sebastian.