In June of 2023, Woodhaven High School would welcome its new head coach. This coach has been around the block for a while now and knows the game better than most. Entering his second season with Woodhaven, and continuing to add on to his prestigious career, Coach David Mifsud, continues to coach, with a mindset to teach more than just football.
Coach Mifsud and the Warriors would start this season strong with a nice 3-1 record to kick off the year. However, after two tough losses, they go into the Homecoming game this weekend against Lincoln Park with a 3-3 record. However, Mifsud doesn’t want to dwindle on these losses and is focused on finishing strong and continuing to build his team.
Mifsud said, “Well, I loved the exciting Trenton win… yet I am disappointed in the Allen Park and Southgate losses… but I think our younger players are developing and making progress. I am happy with the progress and hope we can finish strong.”
However, Mifsud isn’t just a coach. During the day, he teaches English at Woodhaven High School. By doing this, he sacrifices the majority of his time throughout the football season to focus on teaching and coaching, without much time to have a life outside of sports and school. But, how can someone balance such a busy schedule?
Mifsud says, “It’s very tough. I don’t have much of a personal life during football season. It is just a matter of being responsible and taking care of both jobs. Sometimes – actually often – my family has to make sacrifices and I miss out on family and friend time during the season.”
Mifsud would then take over the team shortly after former coach and now Athletic Director, Keith Christnagel. He would have many opportunities to continue his coaching career elsewhere, however, he decided to choose Woodhaven High School.
Mifsud says he chose Woodhaven because “Woodhaven has a good school district with good families, and we have incredible facilities here. I want to be in a good place with good people. So, it seemed like it would be a good fit”
But even if he could coach anywhere else, Mifsud says, “At this stage of my career, it is here at Woodhaven. I hope to have the kind of memories and relationships that I have had in the past and finish my career with positive results and positive feelings.”
However, Mifsud wasn’t just a standard coach before coming to Woodhaven, he had already made a name for himself across Michigan. Coaching for schools such as Dearborn High School and Parma-Western where he would achieve Four Total Conference Championships, Four District Championships, and Two Regional Championships, and an incredible career record of 239-137.
Reflecting on his time at these schools, Mifsud says, “I was the head coach at Dearborn High for 16 years and loved it. We moved to Jackson and I was the head coach at Parma Western for 8 years. I had great experiences at both of those schools and can always reflect back on those days with positive and happy thoughts.”
Coach Mifsud has coached a lot of players, many of which would even go on to continue to play at the collegiate level. However, Mifsud looks for more than just talent and skills when focusing on what players he wants on the field.
He states, “Obviously all coaches want players with talent and skills. But I really look for players who are hardworking and committed. Those who have a true desire to do what it takes to succeed.”
Mifsud even advises players to, “Put it all out there. Make a huge commitment and put everything you have into it. Don’t have any regrets.”
As Coach Mifsud continues to Coach and lead more and more teams, he continues to leave a lasting impact on the players and other members of his staff, hoping to continue to teach and inspire more and more students on and off the field, while still leaving behind a lasting legacy.
