[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF COACH JOHN HERRINGTON'S RETIREMENT FROM TEACHING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 2013

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. John 
Herrington and his lifelong commitment to Greater Detroit youth. Known 
to many in the community simply as ``Coach'' Mr. Herrington has spent 
half a century helping those who have crossed his path.
   John Herrington distinguished himself as a standout student-athlete 
while attending Waterford Township High School, where he was President 
of his senior class and earned nine varsity letters in basketball, 
baseball, and football. Upon graduation he attended Central Michigan 
University where he played basketball and excelled in academics--
graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and his 
teaching certificate in 1962. While there, he met the love of his life 
and future wife, Fran--they were a team for 38 years until her passing 
in 2001.
   In 1963, John became the head junior varsity football coach at North 
Farmington High School. He taught and coached there for six years until 
transferring to the newly opened Harrison High School in 1970 to teach 
history and be the head varsity football coach.
   Mr. Speaker, Coach's overall football record is an astonishing 392 
wins, 88 losses and one tie. He was also the Varsity baseball coach 
from 1971 to 2005, earning a record of 468 wins and 341 losses, along 
with 12 district championships, 4 regional titles and 2 state semi-
final berths. Coach Harrison has won a record 13 Michigan High School 
Football Championships and 29 conference titles. In addition, he has 
helped hundreds of football players secure college football 
scholarships and seven of his former players have played in the 
National Football League.
   Mr. Herrington is well known for crediting his players and assistant 
coaches for his success; however, a list of awards honoring him 
includes: induction into both the Michigan and National Coaches 
Association Halls of Fame, National Football Coach of the Year, and 
runner up for the NFL's Shula Award for Outstanding High School 
Football Coach.
   Mr. Speaker, at the end of this school year John Herrington will 
retire from teaching. While coach Herrington's time as a teacher has 
ended; he will continue to be the head varsity football coach at 
Harrison High School. I would like to thank him for his many decades of 
selfless service as a teacher and wish him continued success as the 
head football coach at Harrison High School.

                          ____________________